Reading Partners

Reading Partners uses community volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring to struggling readers in underresourced elementary schools. The program serves students in kindergarten through grade 5 who are half a year to two and a half years behind grade level in reading, are conversationally fluent in English, and do not have an Individualized Education Program. The program consists of twice-weekly, 45-minute one-on-one tutoring sessions delivered by community volunteers using a structured, modular curriculum. Tutoring takes place in dedicated reading centers within schools, with sessions overseen by full-time site coordinators (typically AmeriCorps members). Volunteers receive minimal initial training (approximately one hour of orientation and shadow session) but receive ongoing support from site coordinators. The curriculum is data-driven, using the Rigby PM Benchmark assessment administered three times yearly to inform instruction and create Individualized Reading Plans for students.