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On August 28, 1996, former President Bill Clinton announced the
America Reads Challenge.
America Reads calls upon all citizens to support teachers and to
help ensure that every American child can read well and independently
by the end of the third grade. Research shows that children who
cannot read well and independently by the end of the third grade are
less likely to succeed in school and more likely drop out.
But, research also shows that well-designed tutoring programs that
supplement in-class reading instruction result in improved reading
and, ultimately, in more students finishing high school.
On November 12, 1998, former Vice President Al Gore unveiled the
America Counts Challenge, an initiative to help all students master
challenging mathematics, including the foundations of algebra and
geometry, by the end of the eighth grade. The national mobilization
of tutors will build upon the success of the America Reads Challenge
initiative.
The America Reads Challenge is designed to use college students as
reading tutors for elementary school children who are not reading at
grade level.
The America Reads Challenge needs you to work with elementary
school children who need extra help to read well in the classroom.
The America Counts Challenge needs you to give assistance to students
who need help mastering the fundamentals of mathematics in elementary
and middle school.
America Reads and America Counts even allow for the use of Federal
Work-Study funds to pay college students for time spent tutoring
elementary and middle school children!
This academic year will mark the third year of the America Reads
program here at Pepperdine.
As such, we are looking for students to get involved in a project
which would allow them to:
- Earn up to $10 per hour for the time spent in tutoring and
traveling to tutoring assignments
- Get involved in the lives of children
- Help touch the future of this country
- Add to their resumes their involvement in this nationally
recognized public service
To be eligible to participate in the America Reads program, you
must:
- Be interested in children and in improving their lives
- Be consistent and responsible
- Be willing to commit approximately 6 hours per week
- Be a Federal Work-Study recipient
- Be able to provide or arrange for transportation to schools in
surrounding areas
- No prior experience or training is needed!
If you want to participate in the America Reads Challenge,
training sessions will be provided which will teach you how to tutor.
Since all America Reads tutors will attend these training sessions,
students from all majors are welcome (even those who do not plan to
teach after college).
The Pepperdine Volunteer Center will be coordinating the tutor
training sessions and will work to assign America Reads tutors to
schools in the area.
Please join us in improving the lives of America's children.
Simply contact the Teacher Education Department to receive
information about this exciting opportunity soon!
Pepperdine University
Volunteer Center
America Reads Challenge
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4143
Phone: 310-506-4143
Sign up to be an America Reads tutor today!
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