Ask parents, principals, teachers, librarians, and local media to help recruit tutors from the community. Use middle and high school students and college work-study students as tutors as well as retirees for young children. Contact your local senior center or Retired and Senior Volunteer Program office to help identify available volunteers in your community. Identify tutors who would be willing to work with children with special needs. Follow local and state procedures for screening and using volunteers.
Tutors are most effective and successful when they are trained and well coordinated.
Work with your local reading teachers, local literacy groups, librarians, neighboring colleges of education, and reading supervisors in your district and state to provide training for tutors. Request assistance from your school district's special education office to provide training for volunteers working with students who have learning difficulties. Link students who need help with tutors. Make sure students and tutors know what is expected of them and are supported as needed. Check calendars each week to see what days and time of day tutors and students are meeting and contact them if there are any changes, especially if a back up tutor is needed for a session.