What is the main goal of the program? The mission of AmeriCorps partnership is to improve literacy and reading fluency by providing tutoring for targeted low-performing students. The AppleCorps Literacy Tutoring Program addresses the compelling community need to improve student literacy and academic success in the area of reading and language arts in Santa Barbara County. This compelling need is the primary focus for AppleCorps because a student's success hinges most directly on whether s/he gains the literacy skills necessary for a strong foundation upon which to learn in all subject areas and grade levels. Local teachers, principals, superintendents and community leaders have identified improving literacy as their key strategy to achieve student and school success. AmeriCorps also adds value to school cultures by assisting schools with volunteer generation and management in order to meet the educational needs of all students.
Is there a real need for the program? YES! In 2009, 61% of third- graders, 48% of seventh-graders and 58% of eleventh-graders in the county score below proficient on the California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) English-Language Arts section. The number of English Learner students in the county has risen 27% since 1992, from 23% to 34% in 2008; in that same period, students who qualified for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program rose 35% from 34% to 46%. Parents in poor families have limited time to help. Inadequate school budgets and large class sizes continue to be barriers for reading improvement. Without our program, schools, after-school and academically focused nonprofit programs would not have the capacity to provide the direct, intense and ongoing interventions that our members deliver.
What do members like most about the program? Year after year, members talk about how great it is knowing that they're making such a difference in children's lives. Alexis Donkin, 05/06 Member probably said it as well as anyone in a response she wrote after one of our monthly trainings reflecting on service.
How does the AmeriCorps program work? The program works because of the dedication, enthusiasm, and generosity of our amazing members!
For 2011 we will recruit 39 members (19 full-time and 20 part-time) to serve at 15+ school sites in teams of 2 (or 3) tutoring low level learners at least 60 minutes a week (individually or in small groups of 2-5 students). One-to-one attention is recommended at least once a week. All members also strengthen school communities by assisting with volunteer generation and management activities for reading and other classroom and school support services for an average of 1.5 hours a week. Four (4) of the full-time positions will serve as Volunteer Recruiters and Managers in support of local schools to include the AmeriCorps participating schools and members and will not have a tutoring caseload. Two of these positions are planned for the south coast area of Santa Barbara, one for Lompoc and one for Santa Maria in the northern part of the county. You can access the position description for the Volunteer Recruiter and Manager here or linked to the homepage of our site. One (1) part-time position will servie as a Team Leader in support to all members serving as reading tutors. You can access the position description for the Team Leader here or linked to the homepage of our site.
Full-time members serve 45 hours per week at school sites 5 days per week for 9 hours per day. Schedules vary for members depending on school needs and the school district calendar (7 am-4 pm or 8 am-5 pm or 9 am-6 pm). Part-time members serve 25 hours a week for 5 hours per day (8 am-1 pm or 10 am-3 pm or 12 pm-5 pm).The full-time, 1700 hour commitment allows members 3 weeks and 9 holidays off during the 10 month term of service. The part-time, 900 hour commitment allows members to take off all the school holidays and vacations periods during the 10 month commitment.
The program also encourages members to view the AmeriCorps experience as an opportunity for personal growth and allows for the interest and creativity of members. Members can be matched to special school projects for skill building or to focus on their interests and existing talents to benefit the school community. As examples, members have been instrumental in strengthening after-school programs, offering family nights, starting libraries at non-profit organizations or creating school gardens.
AmeriCorps programs in California are administered at the state level by California Volunteers and sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) at the federal level.
How many targeted students will I serve? Often students who need help have moved around a lot. Because previous years' programs have shown a 10% attrition rate of the targeted students during the year, an initial caseload of about 30 students for full-time members and 25 students for part-time members is identified. Our goal is to end the year with caseloads of 25 students for full-time members and 20 for part-time members. Our tutoring service is not a drop-in service.
Of course, members often form relationships with and assist many other students at the school - in the classroom, through school projects, or in after school programs. Because of the nature of the program and the members' role as paraprofessionals within the school curriculum, often they are seen as a friendly, helpful addition to the community.
What are grade levels served? Our program serves students in K-8 and 9-12 in community schools. Some members serve only at one grade level, others serve in a range of classrooms - depending on how the school leadership team determines the students needing the most help. We ask that members not be placed in more than 4 or 5 classrooms (3 or 4 for part-timers) so that they can really develop relationships with the teachers and styles of the class cultures where they are serving. On the application form, we ask you to specify if you have grade preferences.
What sort of commitment is necessary? Our program offers full-time (1700 hour term of service) and part-time (900 hour term of service) positions. The AmeriCorps commitment for both positions is for the entire school year - from our Orientation in August through the end of the school year (middle of June in most districts). The full-time, 45 hours a week position has 3 weeks vacation and 9 holidays planned in the calendar. Since some participating schools take longer vacation breaks and many more holidays, some full-time members complete activities related to program goals during school breaks to make certain that they are able to complete their full term of service and receive their education award. The part-time, 25 hour a week position has all the school vacation time and holidays planned in the school calendar off from service as an AmeriCorps member. Individualized member schedules are developed to account for placement school calendars.
It's important to realize that when you agree to a term of service, once you have completed 15% of your hours, we can not replace your position. So the targeted students that you were assigned will not get the help that they need and the school will not have an AmeriCorps tutor for the rest of the year. Also, member attrition has a negative impact on funding for the current and future program years. Thus, we ask all applicants to take seriously their commitment: can you truly serve the entire school year?
Can’t commit to a full year? The Americorps commitment to many hours per week? Consider volunteering with students in a local school through Partners in Education. Partners in Education provides ongoing and episodic volunteer opportunities tha can fit anyone's schedule. Search current needs and sign up to get involved. It’s also a great way to get a taste of tutoring before beginning a term of service in AmeriCorps!
Are the hours flexible for part-time members? For schools and students, it's preferable to have tutors on site 5 days a week and especially in the morning. But there is some flexibility in that schools may start and end a member's day at different times. Again, for both full and part-time members, there are options for before, during, and after school tutoring!
Can I work only one half of the school year because I am starting school next semester? No. Our AmeriCorps program is for the entire school year. It's important that these children have that consistency and in previous years, we've found that often the real improvement begins after about 6 or 7 months of a consistent tutoring relationship.
Can I serve a second term? AmeriCorps national regulations allow for a person to serve a maximum of two full-time AmeriCorps terms or a combination of part-time terms that add up to no more than 2 full-time education awards. Second terms in our local AppleCorps program are not guaranteed. However, in 2009-2010, nine of our members completed second terms.
How much do we already need to know about tutoring? Our member team is diverse. A few are fully accredited teachers with years of experience. Others have never worked in a school setting. Our orientation and trainings take all these things into consideration. Throughout the year, in addition to world-class educators who generously train our team, members who have more experience help those with less experience learn what they need to know. A 5-day orientation deals with developing tutoring skills, understanding school cultures and student needs, what it means to be a paraprofessional in the classroom, and how to motivate young people.
What training will we receive? Member development is supported by a 5-day orientation/training in August and regular trainings from September through May. Expert consultants train members in reading tutoring strategies, reading assessment, volunteer recruitment and management, student needs in school cultures, and motivational techniques. Ongoing member coaching supports members throughout the year and "Life After AmeriCorps" is emphasized the second half of the year.
Each year we have a hugely successful pre-service orientation, carefully redesigned with all feedback from the previous year. Orientation goals include creating a safe space for people to ask questions and learn, setting intentions (group and personal), and creating a cohesive team and culture. California school structures are explored as well as member roles and responsibilities within those systems. Training focus is on literacy and assisting targeted students.
To fully train and prepare tutors to move students to high levels of reading proficiency, we provide a variety of training modules throughout the year targeting key dimensions of reading instruction as identified through scientifically-based reading research and broken into the following three sections: 1. What Does the Research Tell Us? (key findings and content knowledge) 2. Research in Action (specific, sound strategies to teach and engage learners) 3. Working with Students (offering time for tutors to practice and apply strategies through small group rehearsal as well as personal reflection and planning). Each module integrates examples from the current state-adopted Reading-Language Arts programs and emphasizes phases of direct instruction as the teaching method of choice in the tutoring session.
The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), our parent agency, is a key provider of staff development and support to teachers county-wide. As such, we have access to training facilities and receive low-cost invitations for members to attend regularly scheduled trainings for educators. Other community partners that provide training and support include school site staff, school-specific professional training, the Santa Barbara Public Library, and the SB County Department of Social Services. Personnel from SBCEO Human Resources, California EDD, the University of California Santa Barbara, and Antioch College all help provide a well-rounded picture of possibilities and requirements for teacher certification, career planning, educational and employment options for "Life after AmeriCorps."
Calls for agenda items are issued monthly so members have input and trainings truly serve the members' needs. Additionally, each session starts with a check-in where members let the group know what is or is not working for them so that throughout the day, others with resources and answers can share the wealth of our team. Each training session incorporates reflective and group exercises to build on member and team strengths. We are careful to create a team spirit from day one - designing systems that allow our members to empower themselves and their programs.
AmeriCorps regulations allow up to 20% of a member's total hours to be utilized for training. Since every member is different in terms of what they already know and what they need to learn to perform their service activities, personal training plans can be designed so that these hours are used in a way that supports the member's term of service. We're fortunate that Santa Barbara City College and Allan Hancock College offer some of the best adult education programs in the country, so members can choose to take advantage of evening and weekend trainings.
What are some of the advantages of offering an academic year of my life as an AmeriCorps Member with the AppleCorps program? Consistently, members report that watching their targeted students improve their reading ability and the overall impact it has on their success at school is the highlight of the experience for them. They really see that their service is making a big difference.
Members also report that they learn many new skills that will be helpful to them as they pursue employment or other life paths after AmeriCorps. Many report improved people skills, organizational skills and an increased sense of confidence and self-worth. Many of our members are interested in pursuing a career in education after their term of service -- some who didn't enter AmeriCorps with this expectation. After completing their term of service, 63% of our 05/06 team pursued the teaching profession (teaching, finishing degree or credential work, another AmeriCorps term) and report that their year of experience made a HUGE difference! In fact our members have been so successful that Antioch University, Santa Barbara, is matching the member's education award dollar for dollar (up to $5000) for any members interested in continuing or beginning their schooling (MA in Education, Clinical Psychology and Organizational Management or BA in Liberal Studies). UCSB Gevirtz School of Education also offers a number of $2,500 education awards to full-time members toward tuition at UCSB.
Do I receive any financial compensation for my service? Yes, full-time members will receive a cash stipend of $600 twice monthly (part-time members $325) paid out over the term of service in equal stipend amounts. Additionally a full-time member is eligible for a $5,550 education award (part-time $2,775) contingent upon satisfactory completion of their term of service. It is important to understand that participation in AmeriCorps is regulated as volunteerism and not classified as employment under federal regulations. For your service to your country you receive a living allowance and not a wage for hours worked. An employment relationship is not created between yourself and the AmeriCorps program.
Is there health coverage? Yes, AmeriCorps policy allows health coverage for full-time members, but not for part-time members. Full-time members can receive a medical, dental, prescription drug, $100 vision allowance and AD&D insurance plan under the AmeriCorps health care policy provided by SRC (an Aetna company) at no premium cost to the member. Specific questions about the plan can be addressed to Customer Service 888-772-9682.
Full-time members pay a $100 deductible each coverage year (the first $100 of medical expenses incurred). The plan will pay 80% of the recognized charges incurred for covered medical expenses under the plan until a $1,000 annual out of pocket maximum is reached. Once the out-of-pocket maximum has been met, the plan will pay 100% of the recognized charges incurred for covered medical expenses up to a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000. Chiropractic services are included under spinal manipulation; prescription drugs are covered; preventative exams are covered. Exclusions and limitations apply, so always check with Customer Service.
Coverage begins the first month of service and terminates at the end of the month in which service is completed. At that time, members can choose if they want to continue the insurance on their own under the COBRA option.
Is there dental coverage? Yes, full-time members who have health coverage also receive a maximum of $1,500 in dental coverage for the year (after a $25 deductible per covered person).
Do members accrue vacation time or sick time? No! This is one of the most difficult things for many members, especially given a school environment where there is frequent exposure to colds and flues. Members only accrue hours counted toward their term of service as they serve (or receive training). Our full-time members can plan to take 2 vacation weeks and 8 holidays during the program year (not accruing hours) and still complete the 1,700 hour service commitment by mid-June. Schools are closed for many more holidays and longer vacation periods, so full-time members perform other allowable activities to accrue hours during this time. We help members plan allowable activities related to our program goals. On the other hand, part-time members take all the school holidays and vacation time off (don't accrue hours) and can still complete their 900 term of service by mid-June.
Is housing provided? No, it is not. And housing in Santa Barbara is very expensive, so we recommend that anyone thinking about moving here from out of state seriously consider if they can live on the modest living allowance. To find out about the current cost of rentals, we suggest you check Craigslist, our local papers on the south coast The Independent, The Daily Sound and The News Press, and in north county the The Santa Maria Times and The Lompoc Record. We also developed a list of websites for Santa Barbara County rental housing Rental Information.
How do I find out about Santa Barbara County? Most of us here will tell you it's one of the most beautiful places in the world! And the county is large and diverse. Note that our programs are in Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Ynez, Santa Maria, and Guadalupe (from south to north). You might want to check out these websites: one, two, three. We also provide a handout called TIPS FOR CHEAP LIVING IN SANTA BARBARA that was compiled by our AmeriCorps Members.
How do I apply? Read the application instructions carefully regarding the submission of required documents to apply linked to the homepage of this website. Complete and submit the application. TWO fully completed reference forms are also required as part of the application process. Because this is a federal program, it is essential that we have the original signed copies before you can be enrolled as a member.
Is there an interview process? Yes! All application materials are screened by program staff. Most applicants are then offered a screening interview with program staff. Applicants approved by program staff are then recommended to participating school principals for interviews. Not all recommended applicants receive school site interviews. Because principals are often on vacation from mid-June to mid-August, we attempt to select as many applicants as possible in April and May. These time lines work well for applicants that are also planning to be out of the area for a lengthy summer vacation. Out-of-state applicants need to be prepared to come to Santa Barbara for an interview, so applying early is critical.
Over the summer the principal interview process is sometimes slower as school principals are often on vacation. Therefore, we strongly recommend that people apply as soon as possible to ensure their start in our August orientation. At times applicants experience delays between the time they are recommended to schools for consideration and they are actually interviewed by the schools.
Once you have been offered a position, you will need a copy of your birth certificate or US Passport or Permanent Resident Alien card AND a social security card AND a driver's license or other photo ID to meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements. Sometimes these documents are difficult to locate in a hurry, and applicants need to contact family or government agencies to acquire them. In addition all applicants must clear the DOJ fingerprinting process and have TB clearance. All offers of positions are contingent upon the applicant providing the required personal documents and attaining the required clearances.
What if I still have questions? Please, call our office: 805-964-4710, x 4405. Also, continue checking the website. We look forward to speaking with you and seeing if this opportunity is right for you!
