Needs and Goals

Public education officials in Brazil have struggled successfully to achieve near-universal coverage of primary schooling and 71% growth in secondary enrollment. But Brazilian public schools are not preparing their students to compete in increasingly complex societies. Brazilian students performed poorly among 15-year-old pupils from 32 countries tested in math, science and reading by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Ministry of Education reports that only 6% of high school seniors graduate with the basic reading skills, and almost 93% are unable to solve problems effectively. More than 90% of students with a "poor" or "very poor" performance attend public schools.

In Greater Sao Paulo effective teaching is undermined by adverse selection of professionals, with low pay and poor training. Principals have no control over hiring and firing of teachers on their staff and are exposed to rapid turnover. Reading Circle participants come from poor families, with parents who have no more than four years of schooling and cannot pay for extra-curricular resources to compensate for this deficit. At least 80% of new participants read below their expected grade level.But even in the most troubled schools we find students eager to learn.

Our goals are to:

• Improve reading, writing, critical and interpersonal skills among public school students

• Develop and test strategies to promote scientific interest and knowledge among public school students

• Develop local leadership among teachers and students to help improve reading and teaching

• Expand young people's access to libraries and other educational resources within and outside their neighborhood