On behalf of the Horizons-Upward Bound Staff and students we wish you a safe and wonderful New Year.

In 1965, the initial Horizons program published its year-end report entitled Horizon One Report. The report describes the impact of the Reading and Speech Program on the lives of the fifty-one inner-city boys. Mr. George Bibbs stated The decision to include speech and reading as an additional course of study in the curriculum of the Horizons Program was based on surmounting evidence confirming that culturally disadvantaged youngsters are apt to perform below expectancy especially in the language Arts. Results of the Stanford Reading Achievement Test, administered during the first week, indicated that the reading development of thirty percent of the fifty-one boys was retarded as much as three grade levels; sixteen percent were reading on or near grade level; and the remaining fifty-four percent were reading as much as two grades beyond their present levels. It was obvious that a greater number of boys would benefit from remedial reading instruction than anticipated and it was decided to offer remedial and developmental reading instruction in each section. At the conclusion of the program the boys were re-tested and the results tabulated showed remarkable improvement in reading scores. Mr. Bibbs final words were The reading and speaking skills of most of the boys were definitely enhanced; moreover, the improved attitudes and appreciation for learning on the part of many of the reluctant participants are perhaps the most gratifying outcome of the total program. The Reading and Speech program remained a main pillar of the program until the mid nineties unit when for some unknown reason it was discontinued. In 2012, public schools in Detroit Michigan, according to the U.S Department of Education, had only 7 percent of their eighth graders at grade level proficiency or better in reading. Last summer we gave a reading assessment to a total of 72 students. We tested 38 ninth graders, 30 tenth graders and 4 eleventh graders. The majority of the students (85% or 61 of 72) revealed grade levels reading deficits. Our 9th and 10th grades students were 2.5 grade levels behind in reading and our 11th graders were 3.5 grade levels behind in reading. We were able offer nine students 1on 1 tutorial session with every student receiving approximately 15 sessions. Students who participated in our trial reading program were on the average a total of three grades behind in reading. These same students, when exiting the program were able to cut their reading deficit in half, gaining reading proficiency of one and a half reading levels. At the end of the summer additional students were requesting help in reading and the nine students acknowledge that they had a more positive attitude toward reading.

As we seek to serve the needs of our students, it is obvious that reading has to be our number one priority. All or our 11th and 12th graders will be given reading assessment in the next few months and all of our students will have a baseline reading score prior to the completion of the Winter Phase. All student reading data will be evaluated and analyzed to help us implement data driven reading initiatives for the 2014 summer and winter Phases. Dr Taylor was an invited panel member for the We are the Change Summit Conference hosted by Beyond Basics on November the 14th.. Dr. Taylor will continue to be involved in ongoing talks with leaders from businesses, foundations, government organizations and non-profit communities helping to bring awareness and solutions to the literacy problems in Detroit. When In a recent interview Maya Angelou was asked what she most admired about Nelson Mandela. She replied without hesitation courage. She further stated without courage you cant practice the other virtues. I am constantly amazed at the courage our students display on Saturdays during the winter phase. They trust us to use our experience .knowledge, moral judgment and assessment data to increase their achievement. We will continue to examine test scores, classroom data, and proven practices to foster collaboration in tearing down obstacles that impede our student success in and outside of the classroom. Notable and future winter phase events. 1. November 8th Dr. Taylor received Delta Sigma Theta Sorority 2013 Touch of Wisdom Award for community service in the area of scholarships. 2. November 7th Dr. Taylor receives the Mid-America association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel 2013 TRIO Achiever Award. 3. December 15th 12th Annual Kwanza Celebration 7-9;00pm, Kingswood auditorium 4. December 21st Holiday Movie and lunch for HUB staff, students and invited guests. 5. February 24-27 2014 HUB-Phone-a-Thon 6. April 12th 2014 Leaders who Care. 2-4pm Cranbrook Dinning Hall 7. May 17th 2014 HUB Commencement Ceremony