A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Samples of America Reads Challenge Federal Work-Study Programs and National Service Initiatives

ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY
President: Robert C. Brown
America Reads Contact: Dr. Mary R. Franklin
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, Arkansas 72801
E-mail: eemf@atuvm.atu.edu
Telephone: 501.964.0883  Fax:  501.964.0811
Number of FWS students: 4 currently employed, additional hiring now in progress

The America Reads project at Arkansas Tech University is based on community-campus partnerships. The FWS students now employed are assigned to two separate Child Development, Inc.sites, as well as an area public school kindergarten, an on-campus remedial reading clinic, and an off-campus after-school reading center. The latter is one of collaborative sponsorship by the university, the local Kiwanis organization, an area elementary school, and a local church. Student tutors are at work Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. to 6:00 p.m. according to individual class schedules.

Organization is now underway for sessions for 4 year olds at the church site. Area kindergarten teachers are identifying participants for that component. Instructions will be provided by a team of FWS tutors and volunteers from the area Literacy Council. They will be trained jointly.

Current student tutors for America Reads were recruited through the Student Financial Aid office. The campus project director conducted three on-campus training sessions and combined another session with inservice at an areas public school. Workshop topics included the patterns and stages of language development, phonemic awareness and early concepts about print, motivation for and sustained interest in literacy activities, demonstration Big Book and Language Experience lessons, ESL and remedial reading techniques, and the use of visual aids and hands-on learning.

Although the America Reads Challenge program at Arkansas Tech University is small in terms of numbers, it is not lacking in quality. This is maintained through planning meetings with site leaders, personal interviews with interested students, follow-up contacts with personal and job references, on-site visits by the project director, and joint work evaluation between FWS students and their on-campus and off-campus supervisors. It is believed that the care taken to ensure a successful start will provide a strong foundation for expansion in subsequent years.

JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
President: Dr. Balzer
America Reads Contact: Sarah DeYoung
Address: JBU, attn: Financial Aid
2000 W. Univ.
Siloam Springs, AR
Email: sdeyoung@adm.jbu.edu
Telephone: (501)524-7102
Fax: (501)524-4196
Number of Students: 5-10
Number of Districts: 1

OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
President: Andrew Westmoreland
America Reads Contact: Jan Bass
OBU Box 3783, 410 Ouachita St.
Arkadelphia, AR, 71998-0001
Email: Bassj@alpha.obu.edu
Telephone: (870)245-5060
Fax: (870)245-5519
Number of FWS Students: 9 Number of Districts: 1

Our America Reads Challenge tutors work in two elementary schools with first graders. The program is supported by the Ouachita Baptist University Center for Family and Community. This is the first semester of our participation. Tutoring takes place only during school hours. We have a liason with our local school district who is a reading specialist and helps with training, placement, and scheduling. Most of the tutors are elementary education majors, some are speech pathology majors, and one is an English/Russian major. We also have an on-campus student assistant for the America Reads Coordinator.

We have weekly evaluation/planning meetings with tutors. The tutors submit weekly reports and the cooperating first grade teachers submit monthly reports with feedback on tutors and the progress of first grade pupils. Tutors carry books and materials organized in plastic totes each time they go to tutor.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
President Dr. Winfred Thompson
America Reads Contact: Dr. Mary H. Mosley
Address: Curric. & Instrc. Dept., College of Ed.
Conway, Arkansas  72035
Email: marym@mail.uca.edu
Internet Address: www.uca.edu
Telephone: 501-450-5461
Fax: 501-450-5457
Number of Students: 3
Number of Districts: 1

Comments: The University of Central Arkansas America Reads program involves college students as literacy tutors for area children needing help with reading and literacy.  Initial screening and training are given through the UCA Reading Success Center by the director of the center.  Tutors also work with graduate students pursuing the Master's Degree in reading as part of their initial training. The local schools recommend students who need assistance and parents may also refer their children.  A waiting list is maintained to provide first call, first served with tutors as available.

Literacy tutors plan lessons around a basic format, but lessons are varied to meet special needs of students.  Tutors also keep a journal to reflect on what went well with sessions and what could be improved.  Sessions are provided after school in the oncampus university reading center.  These sessions are in addition to regular reading clinic hours. The Director of the center provides training for tutors and support for session planning, implementation and evaluation.

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This page last updated May 14, 1999 (lw/pjk)