America READS Program

Since 1996, NCCU’S Office of Community Engagement and Service (OCES) has been supporting Durham Public Schools and the community through the America READS program. In August 1996, President Clinton proposed a national literacy campaign that would enlist “one million volunteer tutors ready and able to give children the personal attention they need to catch up and get ahead.” The federal government would play a crucial but limited role as a catalyst in building the President’s “citizen army” of reading tutors that sponsors college students to serve as reading tutors for at-risk children in the local community.

The goal is to have every child read on grade level by the end of the third grade. It currently serves five Durham Public Schools surrounding the university, referred to as the “Eagle Village” schools.  America READS tutors serve at least 8–10 hours a week at local elementary schools, working individually with children in reading and language arts under the supervision of a teacher.

In the past, AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps Members served as the America READS coordinator for OCES.  Currently, graduate students serve as America READS coordinators.  Through their efforts, the America READS program continues to provide student support to enhance the reading skills of K–third graders by supporting the process in which children learn.  It is devoted to improving literacy and educational outcomes for children by recruiting and training college students in providing literacy tutoring for organizations in the Eagle Village community.

America READS “The Power of Reading”

In the spirit of Homecoming week, “The Power of Reading” activity was supported by students, staff and administrators and amplified the University’s motto “Truth and Service."  It was sponsored by NCCU's Office of Community Engagement and Service to read to area elementary school children.

America READS “Read-a-thon”

In honor of the National Literacy Awareness Week, America READS at NCCU designated an annual “READ-a-thon” where students, faculty, staff, and community organizations come together and share the joy of reading.  Elementary children from Durham Public Schools learn about literacy and participate in this fun activity.

America READS “Book Drive”

America READS sponsored a book drive across NCCU’s campus and donated 340 books to the R. N. Harris elementary school as part of the NC Department of Public Instruction’s statewide initiative, "Take Five, Read Five." Students were provided books to take home over the summer to continue reading and staying on level.

The America READS program is seeking interested work-study and volunteer students to serve as tutors.  Your responsibilities as an America READS tutor would include the following:

• Tutor children one-on-one for 15–20 minutes per session
• Develop a neutral relationship with the child
• Create a learning environment with the child
• Administer a pre- and post-assessment of the child

The America READS program accepts all students, both undergraduate and graduate. A student must commit to 8–10 hours per week to the America READS program and the children in Durham Public Schools. Student volunteers will earn an hour per hour of tutoring with the America READS Program. If you are eligible for work-study approved by NCCU’s Financial Aid office, undergraduate students are compensated at $8 per hour, and graduate students are compensated at $10 per hour.

If interested, please complete and submit the America READS student application below.  Upon completion, your application will be reviewed, and you will receive an email to set up an interview.  The student is required to complete and submit a background check through the Durham Public Schools volunteer link: https://www.dpsnc.net/domain/133.

Your start date will depend on background clearance.

For more information, contact Ruby Messick at [email protected] or 919-475-2367.

America READS Student Application