Students are falling behind in reading in New York City, with 49% showing proficiency on state exams, according to statistics.

Community volunteers with the nonprofit Reading Partners are helping students master the basics and improve their reading skills.

Reading Partners is a national nonprofit that works to improve literacy rates in New York City public schools. The program is in 22 schools citywide, with volunteers meeting with students twice a week.

"About 50% of New York City Public School students are reading on grade level, which is far below what it needs to be," said Primo Lasana, the executive director of Reading Partners NYC.

The program uses a curriculum based in phonics and phonemics.

"What are the sounds that letters make? Then how do you combine those letters to make longer sounds," said Primo Lasana, executive director of Reading Partners NYC.

Cindy Guzman Lucero is a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She began tutoring with Reading Partners at P.S. 54 in Bed-Stuy last October.

"I've seen their vocabulary improve a lot, it makes me very happy because they are enjoying it and on top of it learning," said Guzman Lucero, a volunteer tutor.

In the 2023 to 2024 school year, 88% of students in the Reading Partners program met their grade-level specific reading goal.

The program is on track to tutor 1,300 students this year.

"Our scores are fluctuating, the more children read, the more that will improve, so i do see that as a huge necessity," Emma Velazquez, P.S. 54 principal.

Reading Partners is looking for more volunteers to meet the growing demand.

"We have tutors who are just from the community. We have tutors who are retired adults. And it brings together this beautiful community that supports students," said Lasana.

Here's how to volunteer: New York - Reading Partners