A new school year is almost here, and with that in view, we’ve got news.

A total of 11 local tutors are needed for the Reading Corps, Math Corps, and Early Learning Corps.

First launched in Minnesota in 2003 and tied to AmeriCorps, the Reading Corps, Math Corps, and Early Learning Corps are  high-impact tutoring programs that put tutors in classrooms and that are dedicated to helping all children become strong learners. Tutors, placed in local schools, work one-on-one or with small groups of students to help improve their skills.

Just this past year in South Washington County for instance, the program served 388 district students while delivering 8,180 tutoring hours (1:1 and small group). resulting in 77 percent of students exceeding target reading growth goals. Of those tutored, 78 percent reached math goals.

This is compared to just one-third of Minnesota students meeting critical proficiency in either subject.

With reading and math essential to long-term academic success as well as in life, the tutoring provided by the Reading, Math and Early Learning Corps makes a real difference. Rigorous third-party evaluation has consistently shown that students who have Reading Corps, Math Corps and Early Learning Corps make greater gains and faster progress. The model has proven effective in urban, suburban and rural settings alike. That foundation laid, more tutors are needed for the coming 2025-26 school year in South Washington County.

The good news?

Almost anyone can be a tutor – no teaching experience is needed. Tutors are fully trained and will serve on-site at a local school for 35 or 25 hours a week. All tutors receive a paycheck every two weeks equivalent to about $17 per hour served, plus up to $5,176.50 to pay for college tuition or student loans. Those who are 55 or older may choose to gift their education award to their child, grandchild, stepchild or foster child. Many tutors also qualify for additional benefits like free individual health insurance and childcare assistance. Candidates are encouraged to apply now at Join.ReadingandMath.org to begin helping students in the fall.

“Tutors are essential to helping students achieve grade-level mastery of reading and math, especially in those early years,” said Christine Fankhanel, Director of Minnesota Programs with Reading Corps, Math Corps, and Early Learning Corps. “And the earlier we can start supporting them, even in preschool or kindergarten, the better. Evidence consistently shows that students who receive support from a Reading Corps, Math Corps or Early Learning Corps tutor make faster progress and greater gains.”

Reading Corps, Math Corps, and Early Learning Corps work closely with school staff to measure grade level reading and math skills against benchmark assessments. Any child who scores below the grade level target is eligible to receive tutoring services.

When students receive tutoring, they make measurable growth and build strong foundational skills. Independent research shows that 83 percent of kindergarten students receiving Reading Corps tutoring exceeded their targeted growth, while Math Corps students were two times more likely to achieve math fact fluency and meet end-of-year benchmarks. By placing Early Learning Corps tutors in preschool classrooms, students had significantly higher literacy scores on all five literacy measures, and 80 percent met early numeracy spring targets.

Schools interested in partnering can fill out an application at https://readingandmath.org/get-involved/schools/#simple-step

The Reading Corps, Math Corps, and Early Learning Corps programs believe in the power of high-impact tutoring to help students excel. Their personalized approach offers tailored support through one-on-one sessions, pairs, or small groups, focusing on the unique needs of each student from preschool through 8th grade. To maximize the impact, the program equips tutors with comprehensive training and continuous coaching, ensuring they deliver the highest quality support to foster student success.

For more information, please visit www.readingandmath.org.