Teachers are selected from a pool of applicants and participate in two program meetings held at Cornell with the graduate students. The graduate students and teachers collaborate in the implementation of mini-courses. The ARC initiative has motivated the participation of more college students in literacy activities in communities across the country. The PSC supports this national initiative through work study positions, volunteers, and projects, to enhance current literacy activities and programs within the schools, as well as help to enable new initiatives. The PSC, in collaboration with schools and community agencies, developed volunteer and work study positions.
Positions work with preschool and elementary school students as well as family literacy programs.
These activities have helped to expand and enhance children's enjoyment of reading and to strengthen their reading skills. Each site has defined particular roles for Cornell students that are compatible with the classroom or after school setting. To complement the America Reads Challenge, the Federal government introduced America Counts in July, 1999. America Counts encourages personal attention and additional learning opportunities through tutoring and mentoring to ensure the future success of youth in mathematics. The expansion of America Reads enables Cornell students to assist area elementary and middle school students in mastering the advanced mathematical skills necessary to meet the challenges of the 21st century.