The America Reads Challenge began as a national initiative in 1997. In response to the alarming test scores of many 3rd grade readers, President Bill Clinton allocated extra work-study funds to any college or university that agreed to use at least half of those funds to pay students to tutor children in literacy skills. Montana State University signed on right away and began recruiting, training, and placing MSU student tutors with kids in area schools in the fall of 1997. By 1999 the United States Department of Education expanded the America Reads Program to include math tutoring and so was born America Reads*America Counts.
Since starting work in the Bozeman area community in 1997, over 600 college student work-study and volunteer tutors have served well over 2500 children in area schools who were struggling with either math or literacy skill development. Today the MSU America Reads*America Counts program has the mission to work with and support area children to achieve and succeed academically.
Now accepting tutor applications for the 2011-2012 academic year. Work-study and volunteer positions available!
Meet the 2011-2012 Campus Corps Co-Coordinators:
Carissa Gates-
This year I will technically be a senior as a Music major but I am taking an extra year to prepare for graduate school auditions. I'm not sure where I want to go yet but I know I want to audition in Washington. I've lived all over the place from Alaska, Montana and Washington. I enjoy playing in the many ensembles I am in, video games and I love my two cats, Mahu and Mia.
Keaton Ramm-
I am a junior this year. I have always loved school, and helping my students improve in their subjects, build their self confidence, and learn to love school, blesses my life in countless ways. Bozeman provides the perfect place to integrate the arts, outdoor activities, and learning into one lesson. This helps kids connect the classroom with real life, which I try to do as often as possible. I was a Civil Engineering major but after my experience with America Reads * America Counts I have decided to alter my path towards a major in Math and Spanish with an emphasis in teaching.
Would you like to get involved? Follow this link to apply to participate as a volunteer or a work-study tutor.
