Who Can Apply?
To:
Eligible Federal Work-Study Students
From: The America Reads Program at Penn State
The purpose of this letter is to tell you about the America Reads initiative, an exciting opportunity to fulfill your Federal Work-Study award. America Reads is a national campaign calling on all Americans — parents, educators, college students, universities, libraries, religious institutions, media, and business leaders — to help every child learn to read well and succeed in math. An important part of this initiative has been increased funding to the Federal Work-Study Program to encourage college students to work as reading or math partners for babies/preschool through school-age children in their communities. For the past several years, Penn State and over 1,000 colleges and universities have responded to the challenge. We would like you to be a part of the America Reads initiative.
Any Penn State undergraduate or graduate student who has a Federal Work-Study award may work as a reading or math partner in community sites that serve preschool through middle school-age children. You will receive $10.00/hour in wages. These wages are higher than other work-study wages to compensate you for current health appraisal and two background checks: PA Child Abuse History and Criminal Record clearances. Each clearance costs $10 ($20 total).
We are especially interested in individuals who believe in the value of community service and are enthusiastic about helping young children learn the joys and rewards of reading and math. You do not need to be an education major or have experience tutoring children — just commitment to working hard and an interest in making a difference in a young child’s life and helping the community. The program will provide initial training (for which you will be paid) and schedule additional helpful training sessions throughout the semester. The program will help you schedule when and where you will work in the community. Placement sites include preschools and elementary schools, childcare facilities, libraries, programs for the families of international students or community members, Head Start or family literacy programs, and housing authorities. Once placed, the on-site supervisor will acquaint you with the site and help you get started working with the children and providing educational activities.
If you are interested, please click to complete an application. Also, when planning your class schedule, try to schedule a block of free time for working that coordinates with your placement preference. For example, elementary schools usually need help from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. After-school programs need help from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Childcare facilities have extended hours from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Few, if any, placement sites have evening hours.
All participants are required to have a health appraisal (which can be printed after you submit your application) and two letters of recommendation. Students who are contacted by the program during the summer should bring completed health appraisals and letters of recommendation upon return to campus. Those who are contacted after returning to campus should be prepared to have the health appraisal and letters of recommendation completed before starting work. Applications are date-stamped as they arrive and priority is given, whenever possible, to those who apply early.
