Fall 1999
How AmeriCorps Programs Benefit Sanchez Elementary School in Austin, Texas
In 1994, the Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the AmeriCorps for Community Engagement and Education (ACEE) program collaborated with Allison and Sanchez Elementary Schools to provide a research-based literacy intervention program at both schools. Each school also has a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) member, who works with ACEE to promote various programs for the parents and their children.
Thirty AmeriCorps members are working in the schools and classrooms to provide literacy tutoring for students in kindergarten through third grade; the tutoring takes place in both one-to-one and small group sessions. Additionally, members this year are promoting literacy for people of all ages in many different ways. Members are also working in many other ways to promote literacy with people of all ages. They often go above and beyond the call of duty. Some of their efforts include directing family-oriented events such as Family Fun Nights and Parent Advocates of Literacy (PALs), as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and after-school tutoring and mentoring.
ACEE members engage family and community members, as well as community-based organizations, to support the schools' educational objectives. "They give extra academic help to our students," says Pam Clinger, Assistant Principal at Sanchez Elementary, "AmeriCorps members also force teachers to look at their own teaching methods, as well as learn from what the members are bringing into the classroom. They do such a good job and provide a wonderful service to the kids. They are often taken for granted by teachers and parents."