The Communities In Schools network has 26 AmeriCorps members in the AmeriCorps Reading Tutorial program that serve children in grades 3-12 and their families in several Georgia counties. The main priority for the members is to increase the overall academic performance of students. AmeriCorps members also talk with students about behavioral issues and provide guidance on how to make better decisions. Additionally, The CIS of Georgia Finance Department processes payroll for AmeriCorps members in our network.
Family Connection & Communities In Schools of Washington County has added 2 AmeriCorps members to the reading, tutoring, and mentoring team at T.J. Elder Middle School. These members help 24 children improve their reading skills. According to Family Connection & Communities In Schools of Washington County’s executive director, Roy Jackson, one-on-one reading tutoring proved to be substantially effective and students began to respond in a positive manner in their sessions.
Jackson says adding the AmeriCorps members Mr. Massey and Ms. Cannon to their program has enhanced their ability to produce better results with the students. More specifically, he believes personal one-on-one meetings with tutors improves their grades. Along with an intern, the team became more driven and increased the number of sessions. The team meets twice a month with 6th, 7th & 8th grade boys as an addition to the tutoring & mentoring program. Since then they have been receiving positive feedback and results from their students.
Ms. Peeler, 6th grade Language Arts teacher at T.J. Elder middle school appreciates the help from one of the AmeriCorps members, Ms. Cannon. She is able to work one-on-one with the students who struggle the most with basic reading skills. This allows Ms Peeler more time for the other 20 students in her class. Additionally, Ms. Cannon is able to provide these students instant support and feedback on assignments or their fluency mistakes.
The 8th grade students in the program stated that the AmeriCorps members and group sessions have encouraged them to concentrate in class, resulting in less behavioral and discipline issues. Subsequently, grades have improved as a result of the reading tutoring program AmeriCorps has provided.
