About
America Reads / America Counts Tutoring Program offers reading assistance and math assistance through in-school tutoring, supervised after-school tutoring, and individualized support. The program provides both in-person and virtual individualized tutoring, including tutoring programs during the ISU Summer Session.
• Ages: 5–15 years old
• Schedule: Tutoring is available Monday–Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with a minimum commitment of 2 hours per week for one full semester.
The initiative began with America Reads in 1996 as a reading initiative proposed by President Clinton, and America Counts was initiated in July 1999. The mission of America Reads is to assist every child in the process of learning to read by the end of third grade and to increase fundamental reading skills in elementary students through partnerships with colleges and universities. The America Reads Challenge mobilizes resources so children can read independently by the end of third grade, and America Counts focuses on improving student achievement in mathematics and assisting students in mastering challenging mathematics by the end of ninth grade.
America Reads / America Counts is a federal program administered by Illinois State University’s Financial Aid Office, and it supplies tutors to the Bloomington-Normal community. At Illinois State University, undergraduate and graduate students are hired to provide reading and/or math assistance for Kindergarten through ninth grade students, and tutors are paid through Federal Work Study awards. More than 1,400 colleges and universities participate in America Reads / America Counts, and over one thousand institutions have joined the America Reads Challenge by committing Federal Work Study students as reading tutors.
Tutors must provide their own transportation to tutoring sites, and many sites are within walking distance from campus or on the bus route, with carpooling encouraged. Tutors are required to attend paid mandatory training sessions, primarily on Zoom, and participate in online group chats, and tutoring can also be provided virtually using Zoom links shared with families. Tutoring services may be canceled in the event of a natural disaster such as a pandemic or act of God.
Tutors in this program must meet several requirements, including a minimum 2.5 grade point average, enrollment at least half-time at Illinois State, receipt of a Federal Work Study award for the term of application, proof of eligibility to work in the United States, and passing a federal criminal fingerprint background investigation, with additional background checks possible for specific sites. Tutoring or mentoring experience and a desire and background in working with children are preferred, and the program also recruits students with bilingual Spanish or French speaking skills. The leadership team includes Program Coordinator Lyn Morris and Program Assistants David Vargas, Olivia Ferzacca, and Paulina Quintana Lopez.
One testimonial notes that ISU students receive Federal Work-Study dollars and experience working with kids, and that the program began with not more than 20 tutors. Another testimonial explains that parents with limited or no English language skills reach out to the program for assistance, that tutors assist parents with enrollment forms, and that all enrollment forms are available in Spanish, with ISU bilingual students in high demand. A new community partner reports learning about the ISU America Reads Program through research on literacy support programs, noting the positive impact of the program’s year-round support and an interest in exploring collaboration to promote literacy among students.
Last updated January 12, 2026.
• Ages: 5–15 years old
• Schedule: Tutoring is available Monday–Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with a minimum commitment of 2 hours per week for one full semester.
The initiative began with America Reads in 1996 as a reading initiative proposed by President Clinton, and America Counts was initiated in July 1999. The mission of America Reads is to assist every child in the process of learning to read by the end of third grade and to increase fundamental reading skills in elementary students through partnerships with colleges and universities. The America Reads Challenge mobilizes resources so children can read independently by the end of third grade, and America Counts focuses on improving student achievement in mathematics and assisting students in mastering challenging mathematics by the end of ninth grade.
America Reads / America Counts is a federal program administered by Illinois State University’s Financial Aid Office, and it supplies tutors to the Bloomington-Normal community. At Illinois State University, undergraduate and graduate students are hired to provide reading and/or math assistance for Kindergarten through ninth grade students, and tutors are paid through Federal Work Study awards. More than 1,400 colleges and universities participate in America Reads / America Counts, and over one thousand institutions have joined the America Reads Challenge by committing Federal Work Study students as reading tutors.
Tutors must provide their own transportation to tutoring sites, and many sites are within walking distance from campus or on the bus route, with carpooling encouraged. Tutors are required to attend paid mandatory training sessions, primarily on Zoom, and participate in online group chats, and tutoring can also be provided virtually using Zoom links shared with families. Tutoring services may be canceled in the event of a natural disaster such as a pandemic or act of God.
Tutors in this program must meet several requirements, including a minimum 2.5 grade point average, enrollment at least half-time at Illinois State, receipt of a Federal Work Study award for the term of application, proof of eligibility to work in the United States, and passing a federal criminal fingerprint background investigation, with additional background checks possible for specific sites. Tutoring or mentoring experience and a desire and background in working with children are preferred, and the program also recruits students with bilingual Spanish or French speaking skills. The leadership team includes Program Coordinator Lyn Morris and Program Assistants David Vargas, Olivia Ferzacca, and Paulina Quintana Lopez.
One testimonial notes that ISU students receive Federal Work-Study dollars and experience working with kids, and that the program began with not more than 20 tutors. Another testimonial explains that parents with limited or no English language skills reach out to the program for assistance, that tutors assist parents with enrollment forms, and that all enrollment forms are available in Spanish, with ISU bilingual students in high demand. A new community partner reports learning about the ISU America Reads Program through research on literacy support programs, noting the positive impact of the program’s year-round support and an interest in exploring collaboration to promote literacy among students.
Last updated January 12, 2026.
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