Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions about America Reads

What do tutors do?

• The tutors' main job is to get kids excited about reading. They will be placed at a school where they will be paired with students for the academic year. Students' grade levels range from kindergarten to third grade. Each week, tutors plan lessons that include games and activities that focus on skills in:

  • Reading
  • Letter-sound relationships
  • Writing
  • Comprehension

  Additionally, tutors will participate in monthly tutor training and team meetings where they will learn a variety of tutoring strategies and reflect on their tutoring experiences and how they relate to larger issues of social justice and education. (top)

Who's eligible to become a tutor?

• Because America Reads is a federal work-study, community service initiative, ALL America Reads Tutors must receive a work-study award as part of their financial aid package. (Need information on applying for financial aid?).

  In addition, successful tutors:

  • Enjoy helping young children become independent readers.
  • Value reflecting on their service work in order to better understand the context of the many issues that have an impact on children learning and our country's public education system.
  • Can commit to the fall semester of service. (We realize that you don't know your winter semester schedule at this time but we ask that when the time comes, you create your schedule in a way that allows you to maintain your America Reads placement.)
  • Students who are studying abroad winter semester or graduating in December are not eligible to apply.
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Where are the tutoring sites?

• Currently we have school partnerships in Detroit and Ypsilanti. (top)

How will tutors be chosen?

• Selection of tutors will be based upon eligibility as a work-study grant recipient, completion of a satisfactory application, an on-campus group interview, and weekly availability. (top)

How will tutors be placed?

• Once hired, the placement of tutors will be based upon each tutor's availability, needs of the participating sites, and transportation considerations. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Tutors are placed at a site to work 2 days per week on Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays & Thursdays. Tutors' shifts are 3-4 hours including time for transportation. (top)

What is the time commitment?

• The tutoring time slots (including transportation time) are:

  • 8:00 am - 12:00 pm M/W or T/Th
  • 8:30 am - 11:30 am M/W or T/Th
  • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm M/W or T/Th
  • 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm M/W or T/Th

  Tutors leave the Ginsberg Center at the start time listed and are back to Ginsberg Center by the end time listed. Because we over-estimate travel time and because U of M classes start ten minutes after the indicated start time, a tutor can make a class that begins at the listed end time of their tutoring slot. (For example, a 12:00 noon class can still mesh with a 8-12 tutoring slot.)

  Tutors work 10-12 hours a week, with some weeks during the month having more hours and some weeks having less.

  Tutors work one-on-one with kindergarten, first, second, and third grade children. Tutors work in two-hour blocks, two times per week, with each tutoring session lasting 35 minutes. (Tutors have 3 tutees that they will work with each time they tutor). There is time left over for record-keeping and teacher communication while at site. NOTE: Your shift in the school is 2 hours, but your overall shift will be 3-4 hours due to built in travel time to and from the school.

  Additionally, tutors will write lesson plans prior to each week of tutoring, taking about an hour over the beginning of the weekend. Many resources for lessons are provided on campus and at the schools. Tutors will carry out a formal assessment of each child at the beginning and end of the school year. Additionally, tutors will meet once a month, in the evening, with fellow tutors and their mentor tutor to reflect on their work and its connection to larger social justice issues.

  Tutors will attend mandatory orientation and training sessions in September and monthly training during the academic year in the evenings. Set dates for the mandatory pre-service training are listed at the end of the application. You cannot miss any of this training. Future ongoing trainings will be held on two evenings and you may choose which evening works best for you.

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How will tutors be paid?

• The pay rate for tutors is $9-$10 per hour. This includes all orientation and training sessions, team meetings, tutoring sessions, lesson planning time, and transportation time. Payment will be made according to terms established by the Federal Work-Study program. (top)

How will tutors get to their sites?

• Transportation is provided for all tutors by University vans or cars. Visit our Transportation page for more information on transportation service through the Ginsberg Center. If you have a driver's license, you will be required to take turns driving. If you do not have a license, you may still participate in the program. (top)

Is this program right for me?

• If you answer yes to the following questions you should apply!

  • Do you enjoy working with and have patience with young children?
  • Are you interested in contributing to the success of young children while enhancing your educational experience through community service?
  • Can you fulfill the following responsibilities as a tutor?
  • Can commit to one semester of service, but take your tutor placement into consideration when scheduling your winter term classes. (We prefer you to commit to fall and winter terms because the tutees are very upset at the loss of their tutors between semesters).
  • Be punctual and show up at the Ginsberg Center to meet your carpool at the arranged time each week.
  • Attend the pre-service orientation and ongoing training sessions.
  • Meet monthly with your mentor tutor and fellow tutors.
  • Maintain regular communication with teachers at your school or community site, your mentor tutors, and the program directors.
  • Be thoughtful in planning for your tutoring sessions and document your lessons.
  • Complete a program evaluation and personal impact survey before ending service.
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