August 28, 1998

Media Contact: Jose A. Alvarez (619) 594-2585

 

SDSU Students Teach Grade School Children To Read

 

For the second year, San Diego State University students will take time off their busy schedules to teach their elementary counterparts to read. On Thursday, September 3rd at 9:30 a.m., SDSU will kick off the America Reads Tutor Program. The event celebration will take place in Montezuma Hall at Aztec Center on the SDSU campus.

The America Reads Tutor Program is part of President Clinton,s "America Reads Challenge," an effort to have all children reading independently by the end of third grade. Last year, over 100 SDSU students tutored elementary school children 20 hours a week in National City and San Diego schools . This year, the program will be expanded to include more elementary schools in the San Diego Unified School District and will involve 120 university students.

Several officials from SDSU as well as representatives from the different school districts participating in the project will attend the program launch, including Stephen L. Weber; SDSU President, Allen Bersin, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent and Dr. George Cameron, National School District Superintendent.

The invited guests will discuss how the America Reads program has evolved and will provide an overview of the impact the two-year-old program is having on the students it serves as well as the reading tutors.

SDSU Students

"I loved it," said Jeff Cunningham, an English Major at SDSU and a 1997-98 program participant who tutored students at Andrew Jackson Elementary School. "The kids are very eager to learn," added Cunningham who has given up his dream of being a college professor and now plans to become an elementary school teacher. "If you,re into teaching, this is definitely the program to get into," concluded Cunningham who will participate in the 1998-99 program.

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For interviews with the program coordinator and student tutors please call (619) 594-2585.