Recruit Early. At the beginning of each semester, and particularly in the fall, FWS students will scramble to find the "best" jobs on campus. While some students may seek the highest paying jobs or perhaps employment that is close to their dorms or classes, many students may be looking for job opportunities that allow them to perform community service. Have a an early recruitment plan in place so that students are aware of the America Counts option.

Be Creative and Utilize all Resources. According to many America Reads campuses, some favorite and seemingly effective methods of recruiting tutors include:

• Placing a letter from the campus President or information flyer in every student's FWS award packet



• E-mailing eligible FWS students



• Posting flyers around campus and on the FWS job board



• Making announcements in classes, particularly in courses related to math, science, or education



• Contacting service-oriented student clubs and organizations



• Using campus communication media, such as radio, television, student newspaper, etc.



• Making presentations at new-student orientations



• Setting up a booth at campus job fairs

Hold an Informational Meeting. An informational meeting will allow prospective tutors to learn about the America Counts program, its mission and goals, as well as enable program leaders to create a shared understanding of tutor roles, responsibilities and expectations. Experiences show that tutors who enter into this type of employment fully informed are less likely to drop out of the program mid-semester.

Be Selective. While all tutoring programs depend on responsible and committed tutors, mathematics tutoring and mentoring can be strengthened by employing a corps of students who have an affinity for mathematics. Recruiting FWS students who are both dependable and comfortable with the subject matter can optimize the effectiveness of tutoring sessions.

Have Prospective Tutors Complete Applications. Applications are one means of learning more about your prospective tutors. Open-ended questions that inquire about a student's work experience, math skills, interests, semester workload, and experience with children, for example, can provide valuable insights into the potential of each candidate.

Verify Academic Qualifications. Although FWS regulations do not require a minimum grade point average for participation in America Counts, your campus may wish to use a student's academic record to assess his or her content expertise and/or gauge whether the prospective tutor can balance school work and this type of employment (which requires a serious and ongoing commitment).

Interview. Interviews can help leaders get to know prospective tutors individually and assess a FWS student's potential for tutoring success. Some qualities to look for when interviewing candidates are: patience, dedication, empathy, creativity, and the ability to lead and instruct. Applications might serve as a springboard for interview discussions.

Below are some sample criteria that interviewers may be looking for:

• Does the potential tutor have a general demeanor that displays warmth and a willingness to get along with others?



• Does he or she exhibit an enthusiastic, positive attitude?



• Does he or she demonstrate a willingness to be flexible?



• Does he or she have good communications skills?

Have Tutors Sign Commitment "Contracts". Some higher education campuses require their newly hired FWS tutors to sign commitment "contracts." Though not legally binding, these "contracts" symbolize for tutors the importance of their commitment to the program. Monterey County America Reads, for example, asks tutors to sign a partnership agreement with their school sites that covers dress code, work schedule and absence policies, and ethical and professional expectations.