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America Reads
Program Information
The America Reads
Challenge Initiative is a grassroots, national, literacy campaign
originated in 1997. Its goal is to mobilize a critical mass of individuals
to ensure that every child can read well and independently by the end of the
third grade.
In response to the
America Reads Challenge Initiative, Ouachita Baptist University
created a model reading tutorial program that offers community service
work-study or volunteer opportunities to students. Ouachita's Elrod Center
America Reads program was implemented the spring semester of 1998
and has continued every semester since then. The focus is on children in
the first grade in Arkadelphia Public Schools. The children are provided
one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.
In 1997 an America Reads Challenge Steering
Committee was formed to develop the proposed model which was implemented in the
spring semester of 1998. The steering committee was comprised of Ian
Cosh, Jeanna Westmoreland, Steve Phillips, Susan Hurst, Rhonda Frederick, Ray
Granade and Jeff Root. Jan Bass serves as coordinator of public
school initiatives for the Elrod Center and is responsible for coordinating all
program aspects.
How to Become a Tutor/Mentor
Ouachita Students
who are eligible for federal work-study or wish to volunteer may apply for these
positions during spring semester in order to tutor the following fall
semester. Applications will be available in the student financial aid
office during the spring semester. Interviews are conducted by the
coordinator of public school initiatives prior to the end of the spring
semester. The pay scale for tutor/mentors will be $1.00 above minimum
wage.
Requirements for Selected Tutor/Mentors
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Complete mandatory training workshops at the
beginning of the fall semester
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Sign an agreement to commit to guidelines
established for tutoring programs
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Arrange tutoring schedule with classroom
teachers after assignments are made
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