The United Way of Central Indiana is seeking volunteers to read with third graders this school year.
Volunteers of United Way’s ReadUP program are asked to spend one hour a week reading with two students — 30 minutes each — in a Central Indiana school.
Volunteers can take on the entire commitment by themselves or split time with a partner.
Supporting students at a pivotal point
The volunteer program catches students at a pivotal time in their learning. Educators often describe the third grade as when students shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
It also comes as educators adjust to a recent change in state law that requires schools to hold back students who do not pass Indiana’s third grade reading exam.
New this year, ReadUP will incorporate a research-based form of literacy instruction, called the science of reading, across all of its partner sites. United Way piloted the instructional approach in three locations last year.
It reflects a statewide push for educators to adopt the instructional method into their reading curriculum.
How to volunteer with ReadUP
ReadUP serves hundreds of students in schools in Marion County, as well as in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Morgan and Putnam counties.
Last school year, 262 ReadUP volunteers served 316 students across 23 central Indiana schools. Of those students, 95% showed increased literacy skills, according to United Way.
The nonprofit hopes to recruit more than 400 volunteers this year.
Prospective volunteers must pass a background check and are provided a one-hour virtual training session. Volunteering begins in September and lasts through May.
Registration information as well as a list of participating schools is available on United Way’s website.
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Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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