Program History

Statistics show that in America, thirty-eight percent of fourth graders read below grade level. Twenty-three percent of twelfth graders read below grade level, not counting those who have dropped out due to difficulties caused by illiteracy. In 1997, President Clinton issued the America Reads Challenge, and initiative that sought to have all children reading well by the 3rd grade.

SUNY Geneseo took up that challenge in Fall 2000, and began the America Reads program with 29 reading tutors and 8 local schools. Now, this program has expanded to include over 60 tutors per semester, 9 local schools, and 3 local preschools. In addition, in the Fall 2001 semester, we added the "America Counts" Challenge, offering math tutoring to these same schools.

Program Goals

•  to ensure that all children served will be able to read independently and well by the end of third grade.
•  to reach students who are defined as struggling with reading or math.
•  To build on and support in-school reading and math programs.