Students who read have the power to succeed.
Students who are strong readers by the end of third grade are positioned to be strong learners the rest of their lives.
But in the United States, more than half our students reach fourth grade without learning to read proficiently. Together, we can change this! The amazing thing about Reading Corps is that we train ordinary people to make an incredible impact as tutors.
Read our Reading Corps Tutor Stories
Reading Corps has served 372,759 students.
Reading Corps Tutors:
- Serve in a school full-time or part-time, working one-on-one with students who need extra help with reading.
- Provide reading interventions that are 20 minutes long, so each student is tutored 100 minutes per week.
- Track student progress and regularly meet with coaches to assess data and work toward learning targets.
Designed for Results
In order to help as many students as possible, Reading Corps is designed to support America’s schools by providing proven tutoring methods. In 2017, Reading Corps was recognized by the Library of Congress for best practices in literacy promotion. In 2023, Reading Corps was also recognized as having the highest level of evidence by Evidence for ESSA, and strong evidence of effectiveness by What Works Clearinghouse.
Effective
Reading Corps has proven to be effective in any setting. We’ve scaled nationally to benefit schools in urban, suburban, and rural community – all with successful outcomes!
Proven
Students who received Reading Corps tutoring demonstrated growth in phonics, reading fluency, and oral reading fluency scores that were equivalent to an extra 50%-90% of a year of schooling.
Economical
Our cost-effective tutoring programs provide a good value for schools by providing hundreds of hours of support for the students and staff. Some locations pay a small site fee.
FAST FACTS
2X
After a single semester, the average kindergarten student in Reading Corps performs twice as well as their peers.
3X
Elementary students who receive Reading Corps services are nearly three times less likely to be referred for special education services.
Pilots and Innovations
Total Learning Classroom Initiative
Our team works to research, pilot, evaluate, and scale new ways to help kids go further. Out of that research and evaluation comes new initiatives to explore potential solutions for emerging needs. Like our Total Learning Classroom Initiative.
Minnesota has some of the largest education disparities in the nation. TLC, an initiative of Reading Corps, is working to change this. As part of TLC, AmeriCorps members called “Scholar Coaches” serve at schools with high academic needs. Embedded in K-3 classrooms, they provide additional capacity and partner with a licensed teacher to help students become better readers, engage families in learning, and promote systems change.
Serving as a Scholar Coach is great preparation for graduate programs and careers in education and public service. Members receive excellent training and are part of a team of Scholar Coaches at their school.
MNGOT + Reading Corps
In collaboration with The University of Minnesota, Reading Corps is offering an exciting new pathway to becoming a teacher. The Minnesota Grow Your Own Teacher (MNGOT) is focused on preparing new educators, increasing diversity, and helping to address a growing teacher shortage in Minnesota.
Rooted in service, the program is designed to build on Reading Corps experience and be completed while serving as a tutor. The five-semester program is 36 credits and prepares participants for K-6 licensure. Coursework is completed through a hybrid model that includes weekly online classes and in-person learning twice a semester. Generous scholarships are available through the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities College of Education and Human Development to cover the costs of tuition.
The application deadline for Fall 2025 is March 31, 2025. You can begin the process by applying here online.
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s degree
- Have completed 1-2 terms of service as a Reading Corps tutor or equivalent experience in a school setting: paraprofessional, education assistant, teaching assistant, substitute teacher, after school employee. (Preferred, but not required)
Locations
California
Locations: Fresno, Imperial, Kings, Merced, Riverside, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Stanislaus, Stockton and Tulare Counties; Calexico, Livingston, Modesto, Moreno Valley, Santa Barbara
Ages Served: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Weekly Commitment: 20, 27.5 or 35 hours
Positions: Reading Tutor
Visit the California Page
Georgia
Locations: Bibb, Clay, Calhoun, DeKalb, Douglas, Dougherty, Fulton, Muscogee, Richmond and Treutlen Counties; Cuthbert, Dublin, Fort Gaines, Soperton
Ages Served: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Weekly Commitment: 25 or 35 hours
Positions: Reading Tutor
Visit the Georgia Page
Idaho
Locations: Camas, Jerome and Twin Falls Counties
Ages Served: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Weekly Commitment: 35, 25 or 18 hours
Positions: Reading Tutor
Visit the Idaho Page
Minnesota
Locations: Statewide
Ages Served: Kindergarten- 3rd Grade
Weekly Commitment: 10, 18, 25 or 35
Positions: Reading Tutor, Scholar Coach
Visit the Minnesota Page
Mississippi
Locations: Belzoni, Fayette, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Vicksburg, Yazoo City
Ages Served: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Weekly Commitment: 18, 25 or 35 hours
Positions: Reading Tutor
Visit the Mississippi Page
Wisconsin
Locations: Statewide
Ages Served: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Weekly Commitment: 25 or 35 hours
Positions: Reading Tutor, Scholar Coach
Visit the Wisconsin Page
Additional Locations
Each year we partner with nearly 2,000 schools and mobilize more than 3,000 tutors across the country. No matter the location, our AmeriCorps members use the same model, data-driven insights, and tools to help students achieve incredible growth. We provide technical support to partner organizations that have licensed Reading Corps in the following states:
TUTOR STORIES
“It’s gratifying that my work might have made a difference.”
“I saw the support my son received from his tutors, and the relationship was very special. I know if I could help someone’s child in their academic journey, I wanted to do so in return.”
“Having a strong desire to pursue a career in education, I believed this would be a great opportunity to pursue relevant tutoring experience and a chance to develop my skills working with multiple age groups.”
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