TU grad students help others to read

Students from the Graduate Reading Program provided free one-on-one literacy tutoring for elementary school students at local community center.

A student from the Graduate Reading Program works with an elementary school student during the TU Reading Clinic's tutoring session at the EpiCenter Community Center in Edgewood, Maryland.
A student from the Graduate Reading Program works with an elementary school student during the TU Reading Clinic's tutoring session at the EpiCenter Community Center in Edgewood, Maryland.

For almost 50 years, the Towson University Reading Clinic[BROKEN LINK] has worked to develop literacy skills in both children and adults. And while most sessions take place on campus, each summer the TU Reading Clinic take their services off campus to better serve the community.

Last month, the Reading Clinic was able to provide one-on-one literacy tutoring for students enrolled in summer camp at the EpiCenter in Edgewood, Maryland.

Thirteen elementary school students, ages five through nine, received one-on-one literacy tutoring free of charge for three weeks. And through testing, the students demonstrated evidence of growth in metacognition, comprehension measures, fluency, writing, and phonics/phonemic awareness.

The tutoring was performed by experienced classroom teachers who are also Towson University graduate students enrolled in the final stages of the Graduate Reading Education Program, studying for their master's degree to become reading specialists.

So not only will the students work with trained and experienced professionals, it also allows TU’s graduate students a chance to work towards building their skills as reading specialists.

“These opportunities for outreach into communities that need literacy support enrich the lives of everyone involved," said Shelly Huggins, director of the TU Reading Clinic. “My graduate students are building relationships with more diverse communities than they would on campus. The families we serve have opportunities to easily access quality literacy instruction geared to their individual needs at no cost.”

The Towson University Reading Clinic will provide sessions for both children and adults on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the fall term. Anyone can apply to participate, including:

  • Anyone of any age who may have learning differences.
  • Anyone of any age lagging behind their peers in reading and writing.
  • Anyone of any age not motivated to read for enjoyment and information.
  • Anyone of any age who desires the opportunity to learn to read and write; or who wants to improve their reading.

The TU Reading Clinic provides one-on-one evaluation and tutoring with one-hour sessions. They also provide family literacy initiatives, a lending library, home activities and more success-oriented, research-based and motivational techniques.

There is a fee of $80 that is due at the first session, and the fee will cover at least 10 sessions.

For more information, or to make an appointment, e-mail the clinic at , or apply online.