About ATC

Since our beginning, ATC has served over 1,000 students identified as needing assistance in reading. Pre-and post-testing continues to indicate positive reading gains for ATC tutored students. For a 2008-2009 progress report, please see the 2009 Annual Report.

ATC has incorporated and received tax-exempt 501c3 status. As a result we are able to receive tax-deductible contributions from individuals, organizations, businesses, etc.

Future

Although ATC served over 100 first and second graders last year, there are many more students reading below grade level who would benefit from tutoring. To meet the need expressed by ACPS, we have expanded our recruiting base beyond our supportive member congregations to include community groups and businesses, and, through Mayor Euille's Initiative, Alexandria City employees. With more tutors we hope to enable more students at more schools to read at or above grade level by the end of second grade.

How Tutoring Works

ATC tutors work on-on-one with ACPS first and second graders. Each student is tutored two 30 minute sessions a week.

Volunteers may tutor once or twice a week. Once-a-week volunteers may find their own partner or ask to be paired with another tutor to ensure the weekly commitment to each child is met Tutors may also sign up for two consecutive time slots and work with more than one student.

All volunteers receive training from ACPS and have access to books and materials provided by the school. Tutors who work in schools with the Book Buddies program are provided with lesson plans and materials customized to each child's specific needs.

Tutoring takes place at the school mostly during school hours. Tutoring begins in September or October and follows the school calendar until Memorial Day.

Tutors will be provided with an orientation to the school.

Selecting the Students

First and second grade classroom teachers and school reading specialists identify students in need of help with reading. They use a pre-assessment instrument which measures student's reading grade level. At the end of the year a similar post-assessment instrument is used to measure student progress.

During the 2009-2010 program year, ATC tutors will work with students at John Adams, Charles Barrett, Lyles-Crouch, Patrick Henry, Jefferson-Houston, Cora Kelley, James K. Polk, Mount Vernon Community School, William Ramsay and Samuel Tucker.

Scheduling Sessions

School Volunteer Coordinators match tutors with selected first and second graders and schedule tutoring sessions. If necessary, School Volunteer Coordinators can help arrange tutoring partners. We strive to find an appropriate placement for everyone who wants to participate.

Volunteers

ATC has a variety of volunteer positions. Brief descriptions are below to provide a sense of who you may come in contact with through your involvement with the program.

Tutors are the core of our program. Tutors serve by themselves or as part of a team working with a first- or second-grade student to improve reading skills.

Congregation/Community/City Coordinators promote ATC and work to recruit and support tutors within their faith community, community group or workplace.

School Volunteer Coordinators are usually teachers employed by ACPS. They arrange for orientation to their school, assign tutors to specific students, schedule tutoring sessions, and generally serve as a resource person for tutors.

Board members are responsible for the overall policy and direction of ATC, and delegate responsibility of day-to-day operations to the staff and committees. Board meetings are open to other interested parties. See 2009-2010 ATC Board of Directors Roster.