America Reads / YES Tutoring Program

The overall purpose of the YES program and the America Reads Challenge is to complement and expand existing successful education efforts to help more children increase their skills and achievement levels, and to provide children who need additional help with extended learning time.

Study after study finds that sustained individualized attention and tutoring after school, when combined with parental involvement and quality school instruction, can raise reading levels. Even when students receive the very best in-class instruction, some will always need extra time and assistance to meet the high levels of reading skills needed in school, in the workplace, and throughout life. Research demonstrates that tutoring increases a child's reading achievement, confidence and motivation, in addition to a sense of control over his or her reading ability.

These two programs not only assist children but allow university students an opportunity to gain valuable part-time work experience and earn additional money. It also encourages students to participate in community service by providing tutoring and mentoring to area youth in local school districts and day-care centers.

Youth Education Service (YES) Program

The YES program was developed by the Associated Students of Kansas in 1989 and was started on the Pittsburg State University campus in 1990. The goal of the program is to provide assistance to at-risk or disadvantaged students, primarily at the elementary and secondary level. The YES program is very flexible in that university students can provide this assistance for a wide variety of children's programs and services. Examples of activities include working as classroom aides, tutors, mentors, or other appropriate community programs which deal with the problems of children and teenagers.
Funding for the YES program is provided by the State of Kansas and is coordinated through the Office of Career Services at Pittsburg State University. Because the YES program is funded by the State of Kansas, university students must meet all program guidelines set forth by the State of Kansas. Interested students should contact the Office of Career Services in 202 Horace Mann for more information on the guidelines.

America Reads Challenge

On April 28, 1997, Congress introduced the America Reads Challenge Act of 1997 to provide support to communities and schools in their efforts to improve their local reading programs. This Act called for the provision of funding for school and community partnerships to hire reading specialists and tutors to assist young children in the greatest need of services, such as those who have limited English proficiency or who are from low-income families.

The goal of the America Reads Challenge is to mobilize Americans across the nation to ensure that all children can read well and independently by the end of third grade. A few strategies to accomplish these goals include:
-creating more after-school, weekend and summer learning opportunities to supplement quality classroom instruction in reading;
-promoting greater public awareness and local partnership building through the formation of community-wide literacy partnerships;
-supporting research and evaluation in a range of critical areas related to reading and early childhood development.

Funding for the America Reads Challenge is provided by the Department of Education and is coordinated through the Office of Career Services at Pittsburg State University. Because this is a federally funded program, certain program guidelines must be met by university students in order to participate. Interested students should contact the Office of Career Services in 202 Horace Mann for more information on the guidelines. Or, call (620) 235-4141 or e-mail dphogard@pittstate.edu