Colorado Reading Corps
Colorado Reading Corps is a replication of the proven and successful Minnesota Reading Corps. The program supports Kindergarten through third grade students in school districts across the state, to increase early literacy and reading proficiency. Reading Corps places AmeriCorps members in classrooms to provide tutoring to groups of 1-2 students reading below grade level.
When students reach the end of third grade, they transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Because reading is the basis for learning in all other subjects, this period is a critical time to provide literacy support.
2023-2024 Impact
- 2,093 students were served at 68 Colorado school sites.
- Students who received Reading Corps services demonstrated growth in phonics, reading fluency, and oral reading fluency scores that were equivalent to an extra 50-90% of a year of schooling.
- An independent evaluation found that Colorado Reading Corps students outpaced their peers by the equivalent of up to five more months of literacy growth.
Program Reports:
Why This Work Matters
- According to spring 2023 state testing, just 40% of Colorado 3rd graders were reading at grade level last spring.
- Experts expect academic recovery from the pandemic to take years. Impacts to academic achievement and social-emotional skill development, combined with a statewide teacher shortage, have also slowed recovery efforts statewide.
How AmeriCorps Members Help
- Tutors conduct tutoring sessions with groups of 1-2 students that are 20 minutes long, so each student is tutored 100 minutes per week.
- Tutors track student progress and regularly meet with coaches to assess data and work toward learning targets.
Interested in becoming a Reading Corps Member?
For more information email: CassieD@youthforachange.org
Colorado Youth for a Change will not discriminate for or against any service member or applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or age. Reasonable accommodation provided upon request.
Colorado Reading Corps is sponsored in part in Larimer and Weld Counties through the generous support of United Way of Larimer County and United Way of Weld County and their donors.