Reading ASSIST Institute - Unlocking the written word... one sound at a time

Become a Volunteer Tutor — Why We Need You

1. Did you know that despite quality instruction by caring teachers, 20 – 30 % of students in an average classroom will struggle to learn to read? These students are at risk for reading failure and need a different way to process text. Functional MRI studies of the brain demonstrate that struggling readers access different parts of the brain when trying to read than students who are on target in reading. Functional MRI studies also show that with an appropriate reading intervention, these patterns in the brain can be changed as struggling readers become more proficient. As a trained Reading ASSIST Institute volunteer, YOU will learn to deliver an intervention that can make the difference. Because of the high-quality training and many layers of support for volunteers, no previous teaching experience is necessary.
    
2. Struggling readers can suffer from low self esteem as they question why they can’t do something that the other students can. In addition to tutoring children to read, Reading ASSIST Volunteer Tutors provide an encouraging and fun learning environment, structured for success, which helps students gain self confidence as they gain skills in decoding the written word. 
   
   "The Reading Assist program has provided Georgetown Elementary with three very dedicated volunteers who have truly made a difference in the lives of some of our students. We initially chose three second grade boys who were lagging behind their peers in reading. In just a few short months, we started to see progress. A teacher even commented that one of the boys was suddenly smiling in class, raising his hand on a regular basis, and showing more confidence in his ability to learn. I believe it is not only the targeted instruction that makes this program work: It is also the relationships that develop between the tutors and the children."  
   - Debra Buffington, Reading Specialist, Georgetown Elementary School.
    
3. Research shows that many children who are lacking in early literacy skills in kindergarten may struggle to learn to read. The Kindergarten Intervention training focuses on teaching volunteers what they need to know to help strengthen a child’s early literacy skills. 
   
   “I’ve been noticing that students who’ve been in the Kindergarten Intervention in the past who are now in 1st & 2nd grade are not only not qualifying for further Reading ASSIST tutoring, but are also not in the low reading groups here!” 
   - Nina Campagna, RTI Coordinator, Avon Grove Charter School