Northwestwrc.org

        The mission of the Washington Reading Corps is to improve reading abilities of young students across Washington through research-based tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaborations among schools, families, community members, national service, business and state partners. The Washington Reading Corps blends public, private, and community resources to encourage early childhood development and support struggling readers in kindergarten through sixth grade. Initially created in response to the state's low reading scores, the WRC now serves a critical role as an intervention to address reading achievement goals of the No Child Left Behind Act. The NWWRC project provides the framework for member service. While not exhaustive, orientation and ongoing training offer the necessary context for what members will experience at their school sites. Team meetings and trainings are highly valued by the NWWRC project. In addition to the training around WSC Core Training Competencies and support provided by the Project Supervisors, members will also receive unparalleled support from their fellow team members. Team trainings and meetings provide the opportunity to build a community of support between members serving in similar situations.
        Members of the NWWRC will participate in an in-depth Professional Development & Leadership curriculum that consists of:
* An orientation approximately three full work days in length.
* After orientation: Full-day, weekly skills trainings every Friday during the first two months of a member's term.
* Attending the week-long, overnight SERVES conference sponsored by the Washington Service Corps.
* Ongoing full-day team meetings and trainings (at least twice per month once orientation and skills-trainings are complete).
* The ongoing creation of a professional portfolio.
Trainings, service projects, data collection and reporting are all critical activities that make AmeriCorps support to the school sites possible. Though most service hours are accrued at the school site, members should remember that they are carrying out site AND project goals while serving there.