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About
Reading by 9
What
is Reading by 9?
Reading by 9 is a literacy project for kindergartners through third-graders
who need help with reading. The Los Angeles Times launched the initiative
in 1998 in response to the fact that over two-thirds of third graders
in Southern California were not reading at grade level. Reading
by 9 is a five-county partnership involving business, education,
government, media and civic organizations dedicated to ensuring
that children learn to read at grade level by the age of nine.
What is the Reading by 9 Volunteer Program?
Supported by a grant from the Times-Mirror Foundation, the Friends
of the School Volunteer Program (a non-profit organization) manages
the screening, training, placement, and support of Reading by 9
Volunteers in selected public schools.
What do Reading by 9 Volunteers do?
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Read
stories to a group of children, or |
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Tutor
children one-on-one in reading skills |
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Commit
a minimum of one hour per week during school or after school
hours. |
What
are the requirements to become a Reading by 9 Volunteer?
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18
years of age |
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English
language fluency |
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TB
screening and clearance |
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Criminal
background check |
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One
three-hour training session in either reading aloud or tutoring
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How
are volunteers placed in schools?
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At
the training session volunteers choose 3 schools from a list
of over 175 Reading by 9 schools. |
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The
Reading by 9 staff match the volunteer to one of the 3 schools |
What
are Reading by 9 Schools?
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Schools
that have low Academic Performance Index ranking [www.cde.ca.gov] |
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Located in targeted areas |
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Administratively ready to support volunteers |
Where
are the Reading by 9 Schools located?
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The majority are in Los Angeles and Orange Counties |
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Schools are also located in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura
counties |
How
are volunteers placed in schools?
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At
the training session volunteers choose 3 schools from a list
of over 175 Reading by 9 schools. |
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The
Reading by 9 staff match the volunteer to one of the 3 schools |
How
do I sign up to become a Volunteer?
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Register for a training session |
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Bring driver's license number and Social Security number to
training session (for background check) |
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Complete the application and background check forms at the training
session |
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Obtain a TB screening (available from Kaiser nurse at all training
sessions and readable between 48 to 72 hours after administered) |
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