jim haney shows us how it made a difference at belew high school. >> reporter: students are listening to the work of rapper ti. it is part of a program called help, hip-hop educational literacy program, a series of supplemental reading workbooks designed to help students of all reading levels. >> the gift my ancestors gave. i am the dream and hope of slave, i rise, i rise, i rise. >> we take the lyrics of popular hip-hop songs and use those for the basis of vocabulary, comprehension. >> reporter: founder gabriel bend says h.e.l.p. improves reatding comprehension. it provides a cultural relevance that engages them. >> we wanted something socially relevant to relate to their everyday life but at the same time be academically rigorous enough. >> reporter: rapper ti's lyrics led to a spirited discussion of struggles and comebacks. >> it is a song of redemption, look, i know i messed up. this is my offer to make the changes. >> he is talking about overcoming the things they go through. >> that is the point of a teacher, the point of education, to get the student to care about what they are