Washington Reading Corps: Impacts of National Service and the ...

TrainingThe following list outlines topics related to the Washington Reading Corps and describes whoreceived this training and who provided it.• Fundamentals of tutoring young children in literacy and reading development—Almost all VISTA and AmeriCorps members (93.8%) received training in this area, as wellas 62.5% of coordinators. This was most often provided by an ESD, a national serviceprogram (such as Washington Service Corps), or the school site.• How child development and literacy development influence children to becomereaders and writers—75% of respondents said their AmeriCorps and VISTA membershad learned about this. Half of the key area coordinators had as well. This training mostlycame from national service or from an “other” category, usually the school or school district,but sometimes the coordinator.• Talking with children—The majority of the VISTA (50%) and AmeriCorps (56%)members were reported having training in this area, which was provided mostly by “other”sources, either the school, school district, or key area coordinator.• Reading aloud—Most VISTA and AmeriCorps received training in this area (75% and81%, respectively), as did about one-third of the key area coordinators. Training came fromnational service or “other.”• Writing with children—50% of the VISTAs and 56% of the AmeriCorps members hadtraining here, which was mostly given from an “other” source.• Reading together—About three-fourths of all members had received training in this area(VISTA, 75% and AmeriCorps, 81.3%). One-third of the key area coordinators also had.This training usually came from an “other” source, most particularly the school or schooldistrict.• Helping children with reading strategies—Nearly all VISTA (81.3%) and AmeriCorps(87.5%) members were instructed with this, as were about half of the coordinators. Thetraining mostly came from national service and “other” sources.• Focus on meaning—Two-thirds of the national service members and one-third of thecoordinators received this training. Again, this was performed most by an “other” category,most typically a school or school district.58