Every child deserves the chance to become a confident, thriving reader! That is why United Way of Story County partners with local school districts to bring the Iowa Reading Corps straight to our classrooms.
Reading at grade level by the end of third grade is one of the most critical milestones in a child’s education. That is why we are proud to champion the Iowa Reading Corps—a highly successful, statewide program designed to keep young learners on track.
By placing passionate AmeriCorps members in our local schools, this initiative provides daily, one-on-one literacy tutoring for students who are just below reading proficiency. In targeted 20-minute sessions, tutors deliver research-backed interventions focused on phonics, phonemic awareness, and fluency. It’s a proven formula that closes gaps fast, giving our youth the confidence and skills they need to crush their academic goals!
Research shows that after third grade, students start reading to learn rather than learning to read. We have a narrow window to help get kids the great start they need to succeed during their academic career and beyond.
Iowa Reading Corps can help catch kids up if they are showing signs of struggling once they are school-aged. United Way of Story County works with local elementary schools to offer this evidence-based, 1:1 tutoring for students learning to read.
In Iowa, fewer than one-third of students are proficient in reading. Iowa Reading Corps is a statewide initiative to help ensure that all Iowa students are on track to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. The program places AmeriCorps members, trained as Elementary Literacy Tutors, at sites across Iowa to implement prescribed literacy interventions for students who are just below proficiency in reading.
Whether helping K-3 students with reading or working with middle school students to build foundational math skills, we train everyday people to make an incredible impact as tutors. Placed at local schools, Iowa Reading Corps tutors use proven strategies, providing extra practice and support to help students build skills and confidence.
