History of America Reads
The America Reads Challenge began when research showed that 40% of America's fourth graders were not reading at their expected grade level. Reading proficiency at this age is critical if children are to master increasingly demanding academic subjects in later grades. Children who do not read early and read well are held back at the start of their education and perhaps for the rest of their lives. This will be an even greater challenge as we move into the high-skill workplaces of the 21st century. |
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To address the problem, President Clinton and Congress passed the America Reads Challenge. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that every American child can read well and independently by the end of the third grade. While working as tutors in local elementary schools, Federal Work-Study recipients receive valuable work experience and insight into community needs, while children receive the extra help they so desperately need. The intiative pays 100% of the college student's wages, so there is no financial burden to the school.
With the nation-wide success of America Reads, a new challenge was adopted: America Counts. Now, in addition to literacy, tutors help children with basic math skills.
The University of Utah is one of over 1,100 institutions of higher education to participate in the challenge. The U of U is part of a collaboration of other instututions which work together to implement the America Reads mission into the Salt Lake Valley. Other members of this collaboration include Salt Lake Community College, Westminster College, Salt Lake City School District, and AmeriCorps - Salt Lake County Reads and Promotes Service.
