Washington Service Corps-WA Reading Corps

The mission of the Washington Reading Corps is to improve reading abilities of struggling young students across Washington State. This is achieved through tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaborations among schools, families, community members, National Service, businesses and state partners. Tests administered in 1997 found that only 47% of fourth grade students statewide met the new Washington State standard for reading. In response to this, in 1998, Governor Gary Locke and the state Legislature created the Washington Reading Corps to provide intensive reading instruction for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade, who need extra help to meet the state's reading standards. The goal of the program is to enlist teachers, school staff, and volunteers in a coordinated effort to provide tutoring for students with the greatest needs. The WRC serves schools and Early Learning sites across WA.