Volunteers Needed For DeKalb Virtual Tutoring Program

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — If you like teaching children reading skills, DeKalb County may need your help.

The DeKalb County Human Services Department is recruiting volunteers to participate in its AARP Experience Corps virtual tutoring program, designed to help DeKalb students in kindergarten through third grade improve their reading skills. Stoneview, Pine Ridge, Murphey Candler, E.L. Miller and Redan elementary schools are participating in the program.

DeKalb County is working with United Way of Greater Atlanta, AARP Foundation and the DeKalb County School District for the initiative.

Recent data shows that DeKalb students have a reading proficiency of 26 percent on average, which means 74 percent of students are reading below grade level, according to a news release. The tutoring program focuses on students who are one to two grade levels behind from their peers.

The Experience Corps program, which will start in October, is meant to be implemented by volunteers age 50 and older. Volunteers must have a high school diploma or a GED to participate. Tutoring sessions will be virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and will follow the DCSD calendar through May 2022.

Information sessions will be held Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m., both via Zoom. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required.

The links for the sessions are as follows:

• Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.: Register here.
• Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.: Register here.

To learn more about the program, contact Debra Furtado via email at dlfurtado@dekalbcountyga.gov or via phone at 770-322-2969.