Yesterday, Team READ USA – including our 200+ teen tutors – welcomed 600+ Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) elementary students to their first day of Literacy Tutoring!
“We have a responsibility to our students, to be there and to be on time so we can provide the best lesson plan for them to be able to succeed—not only in tutoring, but also when they step into the classroom.” -Tutor Moya
Elementary students in READ USA Literacy Tutoring are typically one to two grade levels behind in literacy proficiency, which is why they are chosen by DCPS to receive the Literacy Tutoring intervention. Based on READ USA’s proven results, these students are anticipated to not only make typical growth but make accelerated growth—allowing them to “catch up” to grade-level reading proficiency.
This is how we “close the literacy gap”…one hundreds of students at a time!
#DYK: READ USA partners with The Ohio State University to provide third-party evaluation of our Literacy Tutoring results. In fact, The Ohio State University worked alongside READ USA to effectively implement and measure a randomized controlled trial that proved that elementary students who participate in Literacy Tutoring demonstrably improve their reading skills.
“It can be concluded that READ USA has strong immediate effects on students’ reading proficiency levels, and most importantly, on their comprehension skills. Comprehension is the ultimate measure…thus READ USA’s positive impact on comprehension is even more notable,” shared our evaluation partners, Dr. Jerome D’Agostino and Dr. Emily Rodgers, at the Ohio State University.
You can read more about the incredible impact of Literacy Tutoring here.
As Literacy Tutoring commences this week, we also wanted to share this fun fact: As part of Literacy Tutoring, teen tutors are required to input a daily entry into their Tutor Journals. Tutor Journals provide a way for tutors to reflect on themselves and their students, while giving teachers and reading coaches insight into how they can provide more targeted support to tutors during tutoring – and also celebrate their accomplishments! At the end of the semester, there will be thousands of journal entries documenting the exceptional progress being made, all while building teen tutors’ skills and confidence.
We cannot wait to see how our students and teen tutors learn and grow during the next 10 months! Thank you to DCPS School Board Chair Charlotte Joyce, DCPS School Board members, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier and DCPS administration, Kids Hope Alliance led by CEO Dr. Saralyn Grass, and numerous corporate sponsors and private donors for supporting READ USA Literacy Tutoring in Duval County schools!
Team READ USA is off and running for the Fall semester!
Thank You, Local Leaders!
That’s a wrap! Team READ USA has officially completed our Literacy Tutoring training sessions for teen tutors and teachers, and with that came our final Job Essentials Roundtable discussion for the Fall semester. The Job Essentials Roundtable discussions are a new addition for this year to the robust training that our tutors receive before Literacy Tutoring lessons begin.
We are thankful for the local leaders and professionals who participated in these Roundtable discussions!
Our gratitude to these individuals who took time on their Saturday this past weekend to join us:
You can also read more about the Job Essentials Roundtable discussions here.
READ USA will have more opportunities for local professionals to support and engage with our teen tutors throughout the year, including our Mock Interviews that will occur in early Winter 2025! Stay tuned for the details!
If you would like to support READ USA tutors during their Workforce Development and Literacy Tutoring experience, contact Joe Wolf at joe@readusainc.com.
Did You See Taylor and Tristan Yesterday?
“...what every student needs: interest.” -Tutor Tristan
Taylor and Tristan sat down with Will last week to share their experiences as READ USA tutors, and let us just say how impressed we continue to be with how deeply our tutors are committed to their roles as tutors and to advancing literacy skills and knowledge in young students! They spoke from their hearts, and their passion was evident—just as it is every day when they show up to their elementary schools to tutor! (And that same passion resides in every one of our teen tutors!)
Both Taylor and Tristan will be continuing their journey with READ USA this semester, and we are so thankful to them for taking the time with Will last week. We are honored and proud of how they represented READ USA and their work as literacy tutors! As Tristan said during the interview, “There’s only one word that would explain what every student needs: interest,” which is precisely the foundation upon which READ USA was created and how we have continued to grow our impact.
You can read the full article on Jax Today here.
Thank you again to Taylor, Tristan, and Will Brown!
Lit[eracy] on the LawnThunderstorms didn’t dampen our spirits this past Sunday when Team READ USA joined fellow literacy-focused organizations and individuals at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park!
For “Lit on the Lawn,” READ USA joined Ebri Education and the University of Phoenix Jacksonville Alumni chapter for a Sunday picnic, live readings from local authors, and a free book giveaway for local children and families. And guess who was there?!
None other than our READ USA Board Member and DCPS Teacher of the Year, Vincent Taylor! Vincent is also a children’s book author who created the Cornbread book series, which follows the fictional character Cornbread as he navigates different challenges and opportunities that children face today, such as healthy eating, bullying, and other topics. (Read more about the Cornbread series here!) As usual, Vincent brought so much energy to the afternoon!
Thank you to Dr. Nadine Ebri and Rolanda Gilkie-Carrethers for organizing a wonderful community event and inviting READ USA to participate! We look forward to the next one!
Children’s Book: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Illustrated by Georges Roux
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, first published in 1883, is a classic adventure story that has stood the test of time. With its thrilling plot, daring pirates, and a hunt for hidden treasure, this legendary tale continues to excite readers of all ages more than a century after it was written.
The book centers on Jim Hawkins, a young boy who stumbles upon a mysterious treasure map. This discovery launches him into a perilous sea voyage in search of pirate gold. Along the way, he encounters a memorable cast of characters—most notably Long John Silver, the clever and manipulative pirate with a wooden leg and a slippery sense of loyalty.
Stevenson’s writing is energetic and richly detailed, immersing readers in the gritty world of the 18th-century seas. His fast-paced storytelling, full of tension and adventure, explores timeless themes like bravery, trust, and betrayal, making the book far more than just a children’s tale.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Treasure Island is how deeply it has influenced popular culture’s vision of pirates, introducing elements like the treasure map with an “X,” parrots perched on shoulders, and buried treasure, all of which have become pirate story staples.
Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or revisiting it after years, Treasure Island promises a captivating journey packed with danger, excitement, and unforgettable characters.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Parent Education Corner: Reading Beyond the Book
Reading is so much more than just sounding out words on a page. When children dive into a story, they build critical thinking skills, expand their imaginations, and learn how to see the world through someone else’s eyes. One of the best ways to support your child’s reading journey is by helping them connect what they read to real life and their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
By encouraging these deeper connections, you’re building stronger readers and nurturing thoughtful, reflective, and curious learners.
Simple Ways to Deepen Your Child’s Understanding of What They Read:
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Instead of focusing on yes/no answers, try questions that spark discussion.
These questions help your child think beyond the plot and into the deeper layers of the story.
Connect Stories to Real Life
Books are powerful tools for making sense of the world. Try asking:
Making these connections helps children realize that books are more than fiction—they reflect real thoughts, emotions, and challenges.
Start a Reading Journal
Encourage your child to keep a simple reading journal where they can jot down or draw what stood out to them in a book. Journaling is a great way to reinforce comprehension and let creativity shine! They can:
At-Home Activity: “Story Chef” Challenge!
Turn story time into kitchen fun! After reading a book, challenge your child to create a recipe the main character might enjoy or something inspired by the story’s setting or theme. For example:
Let your child name the dish, design a menu, or draw it in their journal. It’s a playful way to bring the book to life and make reading feel exciting and interactive.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!