America Reads Mississippi Literacy Program

America Reads Mississippi (ARM) is dedicated to improving the reading skills of students, encouraging public awareness and support of literacy, and helping to increase the number of certified teachers in Mississippi.
   -ARM Mission Statement

America Reads - Mississippi is a national service AmeriCorps program that addresses the issue area of education. ARM consists of 350 full-time members who serve in approximately 73 school sites across the state of Mississippi. ARM AmeriCorps members strive daily to achieve the mission and meet the Program Performance Measures of America Reads - Mississippi by:

• Tutoring Primarily 1st - 3rd grade students in reading during school and in extended day programs
• Recruiting volunteers to assist with reading activities in the classroom, service projects, and homeland security activities
• Helping to increase parent involvement
• Implementing local emergency preparedness and homeland security workshops and awareness events
• Implementing statewide and local community service projects
• Participating in member development opportunities
• ARM hosts "More than a Meal" site
• For Ole Miss Teaching Assistant Program Info, CLICK HERE.

ARM AmeriCorps members must:

• Be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.;
• Be at least 17 years old;
• Have a high school diploma or a GED;
• Be able to pass the Reading portion of the Work Keys Assessment; and
• Be able to clear an FBI background check and Child Abuse Registry check

At the University of Mississippi, ARM members are teaching assistants only, who do not receive a stipend for being an AmeriCorps member. They are Education Award Only, meaning that they only receive the Education Award after serving 1700 Hours. Another unique aspect to the UM region is that the University provides 6 hours (two courses) or reading strategies for the members.