KOOTASCA Head Start gets boost with Minnesota Reading Corps award

Minnesota Reading Corps, a statewide initiative to help every Minnesota child become a successful reader by the end of third grade, plans to grow nearly 40 percent and place more than 1,000 tutors in preschools and elementary schools statewide.

One of more than 600 sites awarded, KOOTASCA Head Start is actively recruiting to fill two preschool literacy tutors immediately for the 2012-2013 school year.

The program, which has received national attention and even replication in Washington, D.C. and Denver, sees more than 70 percent of Reading Corps students pass the standardized reading assessment, all of whom were originally on track to fail, according to the organization. Additionally, 80 percent of participants make more than a year’s worth of progress, effectively catching up to their peers.

“I look at the children that came in this year that were not kindergarten ready, and I have helped most of those children meet that goal,” said Kirsten Lund, current preschool literacy tutor with KOOTASCA Head Start. “I love the look in their little eyes when they finally catch onto something. They are so proud of themselves, and it makes me proud to know that I have helped that child move one step closer to learning to read.”

Tutors will work in small groups with 3-5 year olds to implement research-based early-literacy strategies to help catch kids up to grade level. The preschool literacy tutors in International Falls are full-time positions. Minnesota Reading Corps tutors commit to 11 months of AmeriCorps service, during which they receive a modest living allowance of about $500 biweekly and an education award. Full-time tutors may also receive health insurance.

To learn more or apply to serve, visit www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org or contact Anna Peters at 866-859-2825.