Third-grade reading levels lay a foundation for a successful educational journey. From third grade onwards, students are reading to learn, and literary struggles only compound. Strong reading ability is pivotal to learning and future career goals.
Family Service parent engagement provides free reading tutoring for first, second, and third graders to help them feel confident, pass their exams, and set them up for future success.
Parents volunteer to be reading tutors, which helps them stay engaged in their children’s school.The parents are trained by our team members and their school’s reading specialists in literacy techniques, games, and curriculum to help students improve their reading skills. Our reading tutors, called Students for Life, help students accelerate their reading skills.
Through tutoring curriculum, they focus on:
- Reading comprehension
- Fluency
- Sight word reading
- Letter recognition
- Oral development
- Sound recognition
- Blended sounds
High School Graduation: Students reading proficiently at third grade are four times more likely to graduate high school
Lowers Behavioral Problems: Students with lower literacy achievement have more behavioral and social problems in later grades
Reading Levels & Incarceration: 70% of inmates in America cannot read above a fourth grade reading level
Through one-on-one reading tutoring, students gain confidence in their skills.
How it Works
We first complete outreach to parents to engage them and inspire them to become tutors. Parents becoming tutors increases their confidence when working with their own children. It is also a fun way for them to stay connected to their child’s school!
Parents and guardians are their child’s first teachers. For long-term success, the entire family needs to be engaged in the child’s learning.
Teachers Identify Students
Teachers identify students who would benefit from extra reading instruction and one-on-one tutoring help. The student’s school decides on the reading assessment to help tutors track their progress throughout the year.
Curriculum Training
Parent tutors work with the school’s reading specialists to gain new skills and train in the reading curriculum of their specific school district. Family Service reading tutors are also taught the Reading Rockets Reading Tutoring Model, which places importance on integrating reading into the home life of children.
Dual-Generation Tutoring
Once the parent tutors feel confident in their skills, Family Service brings the two generations of learners together: the parents and the kids. Each learning plan is tailored to the individual child’s needs and their areas of improvement. Reading tutors work with the students until their goals have been met.
Head Start Literacy Partnership
Parent Engagement also extends reading tutoring and literacy support to Family Service Head Start. Parent advocates connect students and their families to the reading program, and Head Start families receive a dual-generation literacy program in a group setting at their school. At-home games and techniques are provided to parents to increase literacy enjoyment outside of school and increase school readiness.
Family Service was honored to be named Partner of the Year of Passmore Elementary for our parent engagement resources.
Eligibility
Students are identified by their teachers and their schools. If your child is struggling with their reading at one of our participating schools, please contact their teacher to discuss if our program is the right fit for your child.
Location and Time
Reading tutoring takes place during the school day and will vary depending on each child’s schedule.
- Cable Elementary School
- Passmore Elementary School
- Knowlton Elementary School
- Smith Elementary School
- Bowden Elementary School
- Washington Elementary School
- Madla Elementary School
- Vestal Elementary School
FAQS
Find the answers to your questions here
How do I sign up my child up for a reading tutor?
Students are identified by their teachers for the program. If you would like for your child to participate, speak with your teacher about their reading skills and the best options for their needs.
When does the tutoring take place?
Our reading tutors spend one-on-one time with the students during school. We work with the child’s teacher to identify an appropriate time within their schedule to work with them individually on their reading skills.
What does the reading tutoring focus on?
Our reading tutors tailor the one-on-one sessions to each child’s literacy needs. We discuss with the teacher the areas of improvement before we begin sessions, and focus the reading tutoring on improving each child’s reading abilities. Overall, the tutoring sessions can focus on reading comprehension, fluency, sight word reading, letter recognition, oral development, sound recognition, and blended sounds.
