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

America Reads Challenge Resource Kit

Community Resources Model for the
America Reads Challenge

Every community is rich in people and organizations that can help plan for and implement an America Reads Challenge site. Actively involving major partners from the community in the work of a site can open up resources to strengthen the programs. But this simple act also develops a community awareness of the need for improved educational opportunities for the community’s children. We challenge sites to invite the community to share in the education of its children so that more children can read well and independently.

The first checklist below identifies the many partners in the community who can help provide resources for America Reads Challenge sites. The second checklist links the specific activities of sites with specific partners.

Who Can Help?

[   ]  Governors

[   ]  Legislators

[   ]  State education agency staff

[   ]  State Commissions on National and Community Service

[   ]  Mayors

[   ]  Civic associations

[   ]  Schools:

[   ]  Superintendents and their staff

[   ]  Principals and their staff

[   ]  Title I coordinators

[   ]  Reading teachers

[   ]  Parent-Teacher Associations and other parent organizations

[   ]  Local universities and colleges

[   ]  Libraries

[   ]  Literacy organizations

[   ]  Corporation for National Service Programs

[   ]  Businesses and chambers of commerce

[   ]  Service organizations

[   ]  Private (e.g., Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs)

[   ]  Public (AmeriCorps, `RSVP, Foster Grandparents)

[   ]  Religious groups

[   ]  Media organizations (radio and television stations, newspaper publishers)

Help How?

1. Be a central point of contact in the community.

[   ]  Governor or mayor (A toll-free telephone number refers public to a central point of contact)

[   ]  Service organizations

[   ]  Literacy organizations

[   ]  Schools (e.g. using PTA volunteers to answer phones)

[   ]  Libraries

[   ]  Local universities and colleges

2. Serve as a community coordinator

[   ]  Literacy organizations

[   ]  Service organizations

[   ]  Libraries

[   ]  Schools

[   ]  Early childhood service organizations

[   ]  Religious organizations

[   ]  Parent-Teacher Associations

3. Volunteer safe sites for tutoring

[   ]  Schools

[   ]  Libraries

[  ]  Community centers

[   ]  Religious groups

4. Identify students who need help in reading

[   ]  Teachers, Title I coordinators

[   ]  Parents

[   ]  Librarians

5. Enlist reading specialists (teachers and other community experts) who can help children with severe reading problems

[   ]  Superintendents

[   ]  Principals

[   ]  Local universities and colleges

[   ]  Literacy organizations

6. Recruit and train tutors.

[   ]  Corporation for National Service Programs
       (AmeriCorps, National Senior Service Corps, Learn and Serve America)

[   ]  Local universities and colleges (Federal Work Study students)

[   ]  Schools

[   ]  Libraries

[   ]  Literacy organizations

[   ]  Service organizations

[   ]  Religious organizations

[   ]  Parent-Teacher Associations and other parent organizations

[   ]  Civic associations

[   ]  Businesses

[   ]  Hospitals

[   ]  Government offices

[   ]  Media organizations

[   ]  Radio stations

[   ]  Local television stations

[   ]  Newspapers

[   ]  Movie theaters (location for training sessions)

7. Find and duplicate materials for tutoring.

[   ]  Schools

[   ]  Universities and colleges

[   ]  Libraries

[   ]  Literacy organizations

[   ]  Service organizations

[   ]  Religious groups

[   ]  Civic associations

[   ]  Parent-Teacher Associations

[   ]  Businesses

[   ]  Newspaper publishers

8. Link students who need help with tutors.

See central point of contact and community coordinators (above)

9. Provide transportation of tutors and young readers to safe sites.

[   ]  Superintendents

[   ]  Service organizations

[   ]  Religious organizations

[   ]  Businesses

10. Provide incentives for young readers and their tutors.

[   ]  Businesses (books, food, movies)

[   ]  Local zoos (free day passes)

[   ]  Service organizations (free day passes to facilities)

[   ]  Sports teams (free tickets and incentive items)

11. Evaluate the America Reads Challenge/Read*Write*Now! programs.

[   ]  Local universities and colleges: Researchers

[   ]  Schools: Reading teachers, Title I staff
[America Reads Challenge] Forming a Community Coalition