Volunteers, parents or paraprofessionals can help students improve their reading quickly and easily. Sound Reading is the perfect intervention used in a wide variety of settings.

Volunteer literacy programs for children and adults:

An example of a great volunteer project is our partnership with Costco Wholesale Corporation. Nationwide, 2000 Costco employees/volunteers receive two hours of training before using Sound Reading with struggling readers in local schools.

After 15 lessons these students gain, on average, over a year’s growth in reading comprehension. In all, to have a volunteer program make a year's progress with a group of struggling readers,  most of whom were reading poorly, is remarkable!

Overall, Costco scores show that reading comprehension rose about a grade level or from the 42nd percentile to the 57th percentile (from below average to above average). Phonemic awareness scores from the 37th to the 57 percentile -- a major improvement. Volunteers work with a very diverse group of students.

 

"This past year the program (Costco Volunteer Literacy Tutoring using Sound Reading Solutions) was even more successful in helping at risk language arts students. Five students who were in danger of retention improved their reading scores and they didn't have to attend a remediation program in the summer. Four other students who were behind their grade level in language arts improved to above grade level. Every student in the program showed growth."  Alan Withers, Principal, Mather Heights Elementary, Rancho Cordova, CA

“I love making a difference in a child's life, and this is what each and every volunteer does when they buddy up with a student for the reading program.” Tracy Allen, Tutor, Membership/Marketing Manager, Rancho Cordova Costco