Deadlines | Volunteering | Private Tutoring | Semester Commitments | Class Credit | Health Benefits | What do we do? | Weekly Commitments | Salary | Site Coordinators | Program Evaluation | Student Evaluation

"ARE USC ReadersPlus DEADLINES SET IN STONE?"
Yes and No. The USC ReadersPlus program uses deadlines to make sure that there is not a continuous flow of applications and paperwork all year long. We prefer to hire people prior to each semester and encourage people to apply before the deadlines. While exceptions have been made in the past, applicants should not count on being allowed to turn in a late application.

"CAN STUDENTS WITHOUT WORK-STUDY WORK WITH USC ReadersPlus? CAN I VOLUNTEER?"
Currently, USC ReadersPlus is limited to students possessing college federal work-study as part of their financial aid package. In the past, outside grants and funding have allowed for students without work-study to join our program, and these opportunities will continue to be pursued so that we can include all USC students as potential applicants to our program. However, currently we do not have these outside funds available and the program is restricted to work-study only.

Persons interested in volunteering can do so through one of two volunteer partnerships. USC students are able to volunteer each semester through JEP's Project Read. Faculty, staff, alumni, and graduate students are able to offer their time and energy volunteering through JEP's Literacy Project.

If you are interested in taking advantage of any of these opportunities, contact us at the JEP House.

"DOES USC ReadersPlus OFFER PRIVATE TUTORING IN OTHER SUBJECTS TO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS?"
Yes. In the summer of 1999, we changed our names to "USC ReadersPlus" as the America Counts inititative was introduced. At this time, we hired and trained our first cadre of Math Mentors to assist students in math, while Readers continued providing reading assistance. Unfortunately, federal guidelines limit literacy tutors to work with K-6 students on literacy and language arts, and math tutors to work with K-12 on mathematical subject matter. It is possible for parents and teachers to arrange tutoring with an individual Reader or Math Mentor on his/her own time. HOWEVER, our students are not required to provide additional assistance and will not be paid by USC ReadersPlus for any time spent tutoring students who are not enrolled at a USC ReadersPlus site.

"HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WORK FOR THE PROGRAM IF I AM HIRED?"
We expect that Readers and Math Mentors hired in the fall will remain with the program throughout the USC academic year. It is essential for the continuity of the program and the well-being of the students that Readers follow through on this commitment. Obviously, Readers who are hired in the spring do not have the same obligation. Though we would like to see spring semester Readers continue with the program in the summer or fall, it is not required.

"DOES USC ReadersPlus WORK WITH STUDENTS FROM OTHER CENTRAL LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS?"
Not at this time. USC ReadersPlus and the Joint Educational Project are very closely allied with the USC Family of Five Schools. The resources and money for the USC ReadersPlus program are earmarked for these five schools. At some later date, it may be possible to expand the scope of the program, but not in the immediate future.

"CAN I GET CLASS CREDIT FOR MY WORK WITH USC ReadersPlus LIKE I CAN WITH JEP?"
Maybe. Class credit is available for Readers who are offered JEP as an option or requirement only if the teacher of that course allows Readers to be mentors, as opposed to Teaching Assistants or Mini-Course instructors. Readers should talk to the main office if they qualify. Readers who want to receive dual credit must complete all JEP requirements in addition to their USC ReadersPlus work logs and time sheets. Readers must sign up with JEP, let their Program Assistant know that they are a USC Reader, attend JEP training, and complete all JEP journal questions.

"DO USC ReadersPlus OFFER HEALTH BENEFITS TO WORK-STUDY EMPLOYEES?"
No. Like other campus work-study positions, USC ReadersPlus does not provide health benefits to work-study employees. General health coverage for students of USC can be obtained through the Student Health Center.

"WHAT DO USC READERSPlus DO WITH THE STUDENTS THEY WORK WITH?"
During each session with students, generally one-on-one, Readers try to allow time to do three things: read to the student, listen to the student read, and engage their student in literacy activities that will develop new skills and strengthen already acquired skills. Math mentors work with students on skills that are specified areas of need by the classroom teacher. Sessions are generally one-on-one and incorporate fun and engaging activities designed by Math Mentors to enrich skill and concept development as well as build problem-solving strategies.

"HOW MUCH TIME DO READERS AND MATH MENTORS SPEND IN THE SCHOOLS DURING A TYPICAL WEEK?"
During the academic year, Readers are required to work a minimum of 8 hours a week and are not to exceed 20 hours a week. During the summer, greater continuity is established at the schools as Readers can work up to 40 hours a week.

"HOW MUCH ARE READERS AND MATH MENTORS PAID?"
Work-study Readers and Mentors start at a payrate of $8.00 an hour. Raises are awarded annually based on job performance.

"WHAT DO THE STUDENT SITE COORDINATORS DO?"
Site coordinators spend as much time as possible at the site to ensure that the program runs well at their respective school. Coordinators are responsible for communicating with teachers and administrators to determine which students are in need of assistance. Coordinators then match up Readers and Math Mentors with these students based on their schedules of availability at the school. Coordinators run weekly/biweekly staff meetings with Readers and Math Mentors at their individual schools, as well as attend weekly coordinator meetings with the program director.

"IS THERE ANY PROGRAM EVALUATION IN PLACE?"
Yes. During the fall of 2002, a new and improved assessment design-including both new and previously used measures - was implemented. To read the the full report, click here:
2003 Assessment (pdf) | 2002 Assessment (pdf) | 2000 Assessment (pdf).

"ARE ALL STUDENTS ASSISTED BY A USC READER EVALUATED?"
No. Because of the large number of students that we reach (as many as 600 during any given time), it would be extremely difficult to assess every child that we work with. Rather, we do evaluations for roughly one third of our total students.