Minnesota Reading Corps and Math Corps Seeking Record Number of Tutors for 2011-2012

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to an increasing need to help Minnesota children with reading and math, two AmeriCorps programs are recruiting more than 900 tutors across the state – their largest effort ever. One out of every four Minnesota third graders does not read at grade level, and more than 40 percent of the state's eighth graders do not meet math proficiency standards.

In response, Minnesota Reading Corps, one of the largest AmeriCorps programs in the country, is about to get even larger as it works to recruit more than 800 tutors for the 2011-2012 school year, up from 670 this year. Minnesota Math Corps, now in its third year, is set to double in size, from 50 to 100.

Minnesota Reading Corps, a statewide initiative to help every Minnesota child become a successful reader by the end of 3rd grade, places AmeriCorps tutors in preschool and elementary schools to implement researched-based early-literacy instruction efforts to help struggling readers. Full-time and part-time positions will be available in locations around the state, including elementary schools, Head Start programs, community preschools, and ECFE classrooms. Since 2003, the program has worked with more than 25,000 children.

Minnesota Math Corps recruits and trains AmeriCorps tutors to provide extra support to students in 4th through 8th grade who are struggling with math. Tutors receive extensive training and are equipped with effective research-based math instruction methods. Math Corps has expanded each year since 2008 and expects to place 100 tutors in various schools for the 2011-2012 school year. Applications for both programs are now being accepted for positions throughout the state, and are available at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org and www.MinnesotaMathCorps.org.

"I love seeing the pride the children show when they accomplish a goal. They work hard and it's great to see them recognize and appreciate the pay-off," says Laura Popowski, a Minnesota Reading Corps tutor at Northome School Elementary in Northome. "Minnesota Reading Corps is a great opportunity to work with students in order to make a profound impact on their future."

"I believe that it's critical for kids to be proficient in math. More importantly, I wanted to work one-on-one with middle school students so that I may be a role model and a guide to them," says Hue Lieu, a Minnesota Math Corps tutor at Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet School in St. Paul. "I thoroughly enjoy the moment when the students' faces light up because they know they have finally overcome a huge obstacle in their math journey."

ABOUT MINNESOTA READING CORPS

Minnesota Reading Corps, a strategic initiative of Serve Minnesota, is a statewide program to help every Minnesota child become a successful reader. The program matches trained AmeriCorps tutors and community volunteers with children from age 3 to grade 3 who are at risk for not reading at grade level. AmeriCorps tutors either serve directly with children to provide individualized literacy instruction or recruit community volunteer tutors to work with children.

ABOUT MINNESOTA MATH CORPS

Also a strategic initiative of Serve Minnesota, Minnesota Math Corps helps 4th - 8th grade students who need assistance with math. The program trains tutors in research-based math instruction methods and places them in sites such as elementary and middle schools. In addition, tutors participate in AmeriCorps programming including professional development training.

The Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps are committed to recruiting and engaging individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation or other non-merit factors.

For more information, visit www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org or www.MinnesotaMathCorps.org, or call (612) 206-3034 or toll-free (866) 859-2825.

SOURCE Minnesota Education Corps