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Welcome to the Washington Reading Corps Program

NEW!! Washington Reading Corps 2012-2013 Request for Proposals

Washington Reading Corps Cover Memo

Washington Reading Corps Request for Proposals (RFP) Instructions

Washington Reading Corps RFP 12-13

Washington Reading Corps Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Washington Reading Corps Guidelines

Washington Reading Corps Overview

At this moment, you are doing something that is a huge challenge for almost 40% of our children - reading. If a child can't read well by the end of the third grade, odds are that he or she will never catch up. And the effects of falling behind and feeling like a failure can be devastating since 80% of children who exit elementary school not reading at grade level will eventually drop out of middle or high school. The good news is that with early interventions, most long-term reading problems can be prevented.

Created in 1998, the Washington Reading Corps (WRC) has served as a national model to improve the reading abilities of thousands of struggling readers in kindergarten through sixth grade. The WRC engages 260 AmeriCorps members as trained literacy tutors in 76 elementary schools and 24 early learning sites throughout Washington. Some AmeriCorps members provide direct service to preschool children to develop early literacy skills, oral language, and kindergarten readiness. Members also build capacity and sustainability by improving parent and family support through outreach and education services to families with young children. In addition, members recruit and train thousands of community volunteers as tutors, and engage students in peer and cross-age tutoring opportunities.

Washington Reading Corps Highlights

A few highlights from the 2010-2011 school year:

6,622 struggling readers were tutored by Washington Reading Corps members;
66% of students improved in their reading behaviors, attitudes and self-confidence as reported on teacher assessments;
61% of students who entered the program a grade or more behind in reading met benchmark or gained a grade level in reading; and
Washington Reading Corps members recruited 4,677 community volunteers who donated 63,503 hours of tutoring service (valued at $21.63/hr = $1,381,205).