The Washington Reading Corps (WRC) is a statewide service program started in 1998 as a partnership between the Governor's Office, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Washington Service Corps (WSC) AmeriCorps Programs. Solid Ground contracts with the Washington Service Corps to recruit, train and supervise the full-time AmeriCorps Members assigned to work in Reading Corps schools. In turn, the AmeriCorps Members help recruit and train community volunteers and provide one-to-one and small-group tutoring for students.

All WRC positions are filled for the current program year; we are no longer accepting applications.
We will begin accepting new WRC applications for the 2012-13 program year beginning in May 2012. At that time, the My AmeriCorps website will open to receive applications. WRC Listing ID #s are: 

• Seattle WRC Listing ID #: 5006
• South King County WRC Listing ID#: 5007 

If you are a current WRC Member, click here for more information that pertains to you. For general information about WRC, read on.

The need: Tests administered in 1997 found that only 47% of fourth grade students statewide met the new Washington State standard for reading. Research demonstrates that if a child cannot read well by the end of third grade, his or her chances for academic success are significantly diminished – and yet too many children in our poorest communities struggle with this critical skill.

Meeting the need: Through WRC, AmeriCorps Members provide direct daily tutoring. Each year, WRC schools statewide recruit more than 11,000 community volunteers who tutor over 25,000 students, contributing to impressive gains in statewide reading tests.

What WRC Members receive: WRC Members of all ages gain experience in direct tutoring, volunteer management, and community strengthening. WRC Members also develop their own leadership skills by participating in team trainings and by leading local service projects.

WRC Member responsibilities & qualities: AmeriCorps Members with Solid Ground’s Washington Reading Corps (WRC) program serve a minimum of 40 hours a week and work primarily at one designated school site in one of the following school districts: Seattle, Highline, Tukwila or Kent. In addition, Members participate in regular team meetings, trainings and team building activities. The WRC strives to develop individual leadership skills. Members are asked to take leadership roles by developing service projects, training their peers, facilitating a civic engagement project, and getting involved in the community. 

Successful candidates will be able to take direction from supervisors and, at times, give or receive direction and support from their peers. They will also be able to take initiative for their achievements and take responsibility for their own growth. Members spend a great deal of time working in groups and with other people, but also need to be able to work independently. Group process and initiative are central to the program. The program utilizes an adult learning model, which requires participants to be motivated and responsible for their actions. 

National Service at Solid Ground: All National Service Members working with Solid Ground are responsible for developing and safekeeping a workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment. Being open to new ideas and ways – and demonstrating compassion, flexibility, and respect – are valued and encouraged attributes for our Members.

Solid Ground's mission & values: As a Community Action agency working to eliminate poverty, Solid Ground believes working to undo institutional racism is essential to addressing challenges related to poverty, including literacy, and the particular challenges faced by students of color in our schools. We believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our mission to "end poverty and undo racism and other oppressions that are root causes of poverty." As our workforce evolves to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, our agency and workplace will be enriched and strengthened.

Living Allowance: WRC AmeriCorps Members receive a living allowance of $1,050/month.

WRC Position Duties:

• Tutoring – 65%: Provide direct-service tutoring to struggling readers during the school day and as part of after-school activities. Coordinate peer and cross-age tutoring. Maintain tutoring tracking records. Assist as requested with administration of WRC testing. Administer surveys and complete monthly reports to assure adequate progress in meeting program goals. 
  
  
• Community Service, Leadership & Team Trainings – 20%: In addition to serving at their sites, Members participate in regular team trainings. Members also participate in community service projects in conjunction with Make a Difference Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and National Volunteer Week. Participation in all service projects is required.
  
  
• Volunteer Recruitment & Sustainability – 10%: Develop or adopt a volunteer training curriculum and organize a system for ongoing tutor training for new and returning volunteers. Organize community volunteer recognition events to express appreciation for their service and to build a sustainable volunteer utilization system. Seek resources to support struggling readers. Share methods for continuance of volunteer tutor involvement after your service year. Recruit and support volunteer tutors at the school.
  
  
• Conduct Family Involvement Activities – 5%: Develop guidance for planning regularly scheduled family literacy events and activities for struggling readers. Plan and/or assist the school in planning at least two events or activities annually that involve families in literacy activities.
  
  
• Program Administration – 10%: Coordinate peer and cross-age tutoring. Maintain tutoring tracking records. Assist as requested with administration of WRC testing. Administer day and as part of after-school activities.

WRC Brochure