The America Reads Program at
Penn State

What is America Reads?

The America Reads at Penn State Federal Work-Study Program began in 1997, in response to the America Reads Challenge, a national campaign calling on all Americans—including businesses, education institutions, citizens, families, and college students—to help every child learn to read well.  College work-study students have played a vital role in this initiative.  America Reads provides interested Federal Work Study (FWS) students with part-time employment that (1) provides additional support to teachers, caregivers, parents, and librarians to ensure that all children learn to read well and independently, and (2) provides college students with a rich experiential service learning opportunity.  Since its inception in 1997, the America Reads Program at Penn State has hired, trained, and placed thousands of Penn State students to provide educational support to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania’s children throughout the Commonwealth.