Abstract

The America Reads program at the University of Utah created a program website where prospective tutors can learn about the program, get their questions answered, and apply online. The program's site is linked to the university's financial aid office website where all eligible Federal Work Study (FWS) students are directed. Since the program went online, America Reads has experienced a 37 percent increase in the number of tutors recruited and hired. Another result is an increase in summer work opportunities, and most tutors now earn their full FWS award. Submitted by Toni Sage, America Reads Program director, University of Utah, and Dean DeSantis, LEARNS.

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Issue

Recruiting Federal Work Study (FWS) America Reads tutors through flyers, ads in the school newspaper, and announcements on bulletin boards leads to an inordinate amount of time spent on the phone answering basic questions, many from students who are not even eligible.

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Action

• The America Reads program at the University of Utah created a website where prospective tutors can learn about the program, get their questions answered, and apply online.
• The program's site is linked to the university's Financial Aid office website where all eligible FWS students are directed.

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Context

The University of Utah's America Reads program currently has 37 FWS tutors serving in three Salt Lake City elementary schools. The program is housed on campus at the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center. Through the center, the program was able to tap into a Web developer who helped get the material online. The program is also part of a local consortium of America Reads initiatives working to promote literacy in the Salt Lake Valley. Other partners include Salt Lake Community College, Westminster College, Salt Lake City School District, Granite School District, AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps - Salt Lake County Reads and Promotes Service, Bridges and Foster Grandparents.

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Outcome

The program has seen many benefits following the launch of the website.

• Incoming students are now able to access information about the program and apply for a position before arriving on campus and through the low-pressure mode of e-mail.
• While the program used to scramble to get tutors hired during the campus hiring rush at the beginning of the semester, they now have a good number of applicants before school even begins. This has also allowed the program to offer summer reading opportunities for children at local libraries, child-care centers, summer programs, and provided year-round tutors at year-round schools.
• The program director reports a significant decrease in the amount of time that she felt tied to her desk waiting for phone calls and decreased time spent answering basic informational questions.
• University of Utah students are often awarded $5000 in FWS funds. In previous years, tutors found it difficult to earn their full award when they only worked during the University's regular school year. With the increase in summer work opportunities, most tutors now earn their full FWS award.

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Evidence

The program has experienced a 37 percent increase in the number of tutors recruited and hired.

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Posted On

February 22, 2002

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Creating follow-up e-mail for online applicants

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Related sites

Topic Areas

• Tutoring
• Development
• Recruitment
• Screening
• Supervision
• Marketing and media
• Partnerships
• School-community partnerships
• Technology
• Website building and use
• AmeriCorps
• Volunteer
• Member
• Program management
• LEARNS

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