RACINE, Wis. — Even though the new school year hasn’t started, Mallory Umar has been busy every day this summer, working to make sure things are in line for the Racine Unified School District’s curriculum. 

Over the past few years, because of the pandemic, she said she’s noticed something students are dealing with regarding reading, an issue that isn’t unique to Racine. 

“Some of our students are on level and right where they need to be, and some of them need a lot of support,” said Umar, assistant director of curriculum and instruction for Racine Unified School District.

The youngest students in the district — those in kindergarten through third grade — are ones who have lost out on crucial in-person instruction, which has led to many not being exactly where they need to be in literacy skills. 

“Programs like Reading Corps, and some of our other programs target that early literacy,” said Umar. 

Reading Corps is an AmeriCorps program Racine Unified School District got involved with in 2018. 

It helps students who fall into what Racine calls Tier Two of its three-tier assessment. 

“Typically, about 10 to 15% of students fall in that tier two area,” said Umar. “Those are students who are below grade level, but just need a little bit of a boost in order to catch up.”

Students who are placed into the Reading Corps program get a 20-minute, one-on-one tutoring session each day with a Reading Corps tutor. That tutor is trained to help the students get to where they need to be in their reading skills. 

They can be in the program for a few weeks, a semester, or longer, depending on their needs. 

Umar said it’s been successful. Out of the 388 students who were in the program last school year, over 250 exceeded their growth targets. 

“All of the students who participate in Reading Corps demonstrate growth,” said Umar. “On average last year, 65% of students overall exceeded their growth targets by participating in Reading Corp.”

That’s why the district wants to add six more tutors — two per school building — to three more schools. 

The goal is to have Reading Corps tutors in every school by 2023. 

As long as you’re 18 years old, you can apply through AmeriCorps for the position. There is a stipend, and hours are flexible. You can be full or part time. 

“The immediate results seeing a student who wasn’t able to read, be able to read is invaluable,” said Umar. 

And, she said, it shows that it truly does take a village to teach a child. 

Those interested can learn more and apply to be a Reading Corps tutor at schools around Wisconsin here.