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Identify a Program Director or Coordinator. Experience shows that having a qualified individual who can assume leadership responsibilities and dedicate significant time and energy to program administration can help operations run smoothly. While it may not be possible for your campuses to hire a full-time director, an investment of person-power does seem to benefit program operations.

Leverage Support from High-Level Campus Administrators. Work with your campus president--or other high-level administrator--to leverage resources and generate campus-wide visibility and enthusiasm. New York University's America Reads*America Counts program--which is operated out of the Office of the President and employs roughly 750 tutors--credits the on-going commitment of campus administrators for much of its success.

Form an America Counts Advisory Group. Successful tutoring programs require teamwork. There are a number of individuals, groups, and organizations--both on and off your campus--who can work together to share responsibilities and integrate services to strengthen the quality and breadth of your program provides. An advisory group can identify goals, develop a plan for meeting those goals, as well as ways to overcome obstacles. Additionally, this group can meet periodically to assess progress and recommend any necessary mid-course corrections.

Define Your Objectives. Develop a mission statement. A clear understanding of the program's purpose may help your campus establish criteria for tutor recruitment as well as provide a measure for program evaluation. Below are examples of goals that could be included in a mission statement:
  • Help local elementary through ninth-grade students improve their achievement in mathematics


  • Increase community service participation among college students


  • Provide valuable classroom experiences for pre-service teachers


  • Encourage more college students to pursue careers in the teaching field



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Last modified September 21, 1999 (bfl)