Student Quotes
"Not only is America Reads fun for the kids, it is absolutely fun for the tutors too! Such a fine program deserves recognition for the good that it does in the community, whether for elementary school students, who may not have frequent exposure to books or mentors, or college students, who receive federal work study in addition to the pleasure of working with little kids."
Lucinda Leung, 06
"I feel that America Reads is a good way to not only help children with reading but to build relationships and provide positive role models."
Matthew Potts, 05
National Program Description
America Reads is an initiative created by former president Clinton in 1996. The goal of this campaign is to ensure that every child can read independently by the end of third grade. To work towards achieving this goal, President Clinton asked the higher education community in 1997 to take a lead in helping to build a nation of readers. The U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley assisted in this effort by issuing a waiver to the Federal Work-Study regulations that allows the Federal Government to pay up to 100% of eligible FWS students' wages if they serve as a tutor to preschool through elementary age children. As of July 1, 2000, every college and university receiving Federal Work-Study funding was required to have a literacy tutoring program. Now Dartmouth and schools all over the country are working together towards instilling a love for literacy in young children.
Dartmouth Program Description
Currently Dartmouth has approximately 45 students tutoring at 4 different elementary schools and one after-school program. Tutors visit the schools an average of 2 times a week for 2-3 hour sessions. They assist the teachers in getting children excited about reading, and work either one-on-one or in small groups with students in the class. They stay with the same children throughout the term and preferably throughout the year. Tutors are responsible for communicating with their school and teacher, and must commit themselves to the schedule that they establish at the beginning of each term.
Overall goals of America Reads
- To develop ongoing, trusting, and supportive relationships around reading
- To create fun and positive experiences around books
- To help children learn to read critically and develop better comprehension skills
- To help children develop feelings of success and enthusiasm around reading & writing
Community Partners:
Canaan Elementary School
Route 4
Canaan, NH 03741
(603) 523-4312
Westshire Elementary School
Route 113
West Fairlee, VT 05083
(802) 333-4668
Samuel Morey
Route 5
Fairlee, VT 05045
(802) 333-9755
Mt. Lebanon School After-School Program
5 White Street
West Lebanon, NH
(603) 298-8202.
Logistics
Volunteers MUST be work-study approved in order to participate. Each student is responsible for monitoring his/her work-study amount and making sure that they can contribute consistently to the program throughout the term without running out of funding.
Additionally, preference is given to students who are driver-approved. Tutors are highly, highly encouraged to apply. The process of becoming driver approved involves attending a one-hour seminar and filing paper work with risk management. On average the entire process takes about a week.
Contact Information
Blitz America Reads for more info, or use our Online Contact Form.
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