Houston, TX – August 15, 2011 – Writers in the Schools (WITS), a Houston nonprofit dedicated to engaging children in the pleasure and power of reading and writing, will reduce its fees for services by 17% for the 2011-2012 academic year, making it possible for underserved students to continue benefiting from a state-recognized literary program in schools facing budget shortfalls. The price reduction will be offered to Title 1 schools that have at least 60% of their population qualifying for free lunch. Under the new price structure, qualifying Title 1 schools will pay $1,500 for a 26-week classroom project that focuses on improving literacy and writing skills.
Last year, the WITS program helped nearly 19,000 students, mostly from Title 1 campuses. Some classroom projects are funded in part by money raised by Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs), grants, and individual donations.
“Since 1983, our goal has been to make reading and writing accessible to all children,” said Robin Reagler, executive director of WITS. “We’re reverting to prices from the 90s. We want to make sure that kids get the quality education that they deserve."
Research has shown that students who complete the WITS program perform better on standardized test scores than 
their counterparts. Over 10 years of data conducted by University of St. Thomas Professor Dr. Carl Scott indicate that students who complete the WITS program demonstrate improved writing skills, self-efficacy, and higher test scores than those who did not participate in the program.
Kimberly A. Hobbs, principal at The Rice School in the Houston Independent School District, credits WITS for helping her students achieve higher scores on their writing exams. “At Rice, the program has helped countless of my students excel in their writing, and because of this, students perform better in all areas of study,” she said.
Ranked the #1 literary program in the state by the Texas Commission on the Arts, WITS revolutionizes the way reading and writing are taught through in-school and after-school programs for children of all ages. Students write stories, poetry, non-fiction, and plays under the direction of a professional creative writer. Even the most hesitant child discovers the intrigue of language and develops confidence in self-expression.
For Yisel Uranga, a WITS alumni, excelling in the program went beyond passing exams. WITS allowed her to share her story with the world. "WITS told me that my words matter,” said Uranga, now a senior at the University Of Texas McCombs School of Business. “WITS came into my life at a point when I was vulnerable and felt insignificant, and it taught me one of the most important lessons I'll ever learn: my life counts."
About WITS
WITS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that engages children in the pleasure and power of reading and writing. WITS writers work in year-long programs in over 350 classrooms in order to help students develop their creative and analytical thinking skills. With a focus on at-risk, inner city students, WITS also offers workshops in art museums, hospitals, community centers, private schools, and juvenile detention centers.
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