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Addresses the knowledge and skills needed to support the America Reads Challenge, or to implement any literacy development program for children from preschool through grade three. Topics include how most children learn to read, how tutors can support young readers, and how to build community partnerships.

Poster charts the progression of members, staff and group development through a year of service.

This 32-minute training video is designed to help train national service members and community volunteers working with children as homework coaches. The video provides best practices for homework help program design and implementation by examining an AmeriCorps after-school program in New York City, Groundwork for Youth. Viewers gain insight into ways to train and support adults working with children, how to establish programmatic structure and routines, and useful strategies for helping children become independent and organized in completing their homework.

Built for Success highlights key characteristics of effective volunteer programs at four elementary schools in Oregon and Washington that have good records of improving student achievement and committed school support. Some of the key characteristics of effective programs discussed in the 30-minute video include community connections, training and supervision, access to school resources, regular and structured sessions, and performance measurement. This information is helpful to any school, community, or faith-based organization that wants to develop and effective tutoring program or improve and existing one. It also makes a good training tool for new tutor orientation.

The following four segments are included on this compilation DVD:

• Reading for Meaning: Good Practice in Volunteer Tutoring (watch online) - This 22-minute short is designed to help train volunteers working with children who struggle to read fluently. The viewer is introduced to Emily, a second-grader whose lack of fluency interferes with her reading comprehension. Also includes a discussion guide with suggestions and tips for using to train tutors. The guide elaborates on these issues Emily has with fluency and comprehension and the multiple ways the tutor works to help her overcome these challenges.
• Lisa and Crystal: Learning to Read (watch online) - Shows the strategies that Lisa, the teacher, uses to help Crystal, a beginning reader, work on developing her reading skills. Viewers can analyze both Crystal’s strengths and weaknesses, and think about appropriate next steps.
• Rosa and Melany: Reading in English (watch online) - Rosa, the teacher, reads, plays and initial consonant game, and writes with seven-year-old Melany. Viewers can observe teaching strategies that effectively support linguistically and culturally diverse children.
• Yolene and Blayn: Reading Comprehension (watch online) - The student, Blayn, is having a reading comprehension conference with his teacher, Yolene. Viewers can think about how the conversation reflects on his understanding of the book, as well as ways to extend his thinking. Includes Blayn playing a reading comprehension game and writing about the book he reads.