Get Lit ‘Ignites Words’ to Increase Teen Literacy

JADE LIEU
Staff Writer

Get Lit is a nationally recognized, nonprofit organization that uses spoken poetry help improve teen literacy rates through “igniting words.” Founded in 2006, Get Lit intends to bring the power of spoken poetry and expression to at-risk teens throughout Southern California. The program has reached out to about 20,000 at-risk teens in about 60 schools, including AHS. Get Lit is currently expanding the program and reaching out to teachers, who can give their students an opportunity to participate. For eight years, California teen literacy rates have been the second lowest in the nation, while Los Angeles teen literacy rates have been the second lowest in California, according to Get Lit’s official website.

“We haven’t collected a specific amount of data for the total percentage of teen literacy rates, but we have anecdotally increased the excitement of certain students for school,” AMPS co-adviser Dorothy Burkhart said.

Every year, Get Lit hosts a competition for students around April, which is National Poetry month. The Classic Slam began as an effort to raise declining school budgets for art programs and to help increase teen literacy in Los Angeles. Today, the competition is the largest poetry event held for teens in Southern California’s history. The Classic Slam starts with roughly 40 teams and narrows down to the top four teams, who receive scholarships as rewards.

“Get Lit has reminded me that I went into teaching to empower kids. The goal for the program was to make kids feel empowered by poetry, and I think you will be surprised this year with what our team has to offer,” Burkhart said.