FAQs

What is Midland Need to Read?

Midland Need to Read is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy in the adult population in Midland County.

How great is the problem of functional illiteracy in Midland?

An estimated 30% of adults over the age of 25 in Midland County cannot read, write, or do arithmetic at low reading levels.

What are the national and state statistics on illiteracy?

An estimated 30% of adult Americans read at low levels that prohibit their full participation in society. According to the Governor's office, this figure also holds true for the State of Texas.

How does Midland Need to Read promote adult literacy?

Midland Need to Read evaluates learners, recruits volunteers, provides instructional materials, and trains tutors who provide one-to-one tutoring for adults. Basic literacy, pre-G.E.D., English as a Second Language (E.S.L.), life skills, job skills, family literacy, and computer-assisted and small group instruction are also provided.
[top of page]

How many are on staff?

Midland Need to Read has a 35-hour a week executive director and three 20-hour a week employees. Also, two AmeriCorps volunteers provide one-to-one tutoring.

How is the program set up?

Tutoring pairs meet either once a week for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or twice a week for one hour at a site in the community that is mutually convenient to both the learner and the tutor. Tutors and learners are asked to commit a minimum of 12 weeks to tutoring. There is no cost for the tutoring service. Learners have the option of purchasing or borrowing books and materials. Small classes are held in various locations and are staffed by Midland Need to Read trained tutors. A mini-computer lab is located at the Literacy House, 1709 West Wall.

Where do the learner and tutors meet?

A meeting place convenient to both the learner and the tutor is recommended. The Midland County Library, Midland College, Midland College Cogdell Learner Center on Florida Street, Casa de Amigos, churches, and businesses around the city are all tutoring locations.
[top of page]

Who are the tutors that volunteer for Midland Need to Read?

The volunteer tutors are men and women of all ages and background who desire to share their love of reading with adult learners. There are currently 115 volunteers in the program.

Who trains the tutors?

Need to Read tutors are trained by the program director in a five-hour workshop. In-service training is offered periodically during the year.

What methods and materials are used?

The tutors are trained in the phonics, sight word, word pattern, language experience, whole language, and multi-sensory methods. The Laubach method and variety of other materials and methods provide for specific learner reading needs, learning styles, and individual goals. Adult oriented reading materials are used. Computer-assisted instruction is also provided.

When did Need to Read begin in Midland?

As an adjunct of the Adult Basic Education program at Midland College, a literacy effort originated in August 1984 with the first group of tutors trained in November of that same year. In December of 1984, the first formal meeting of the board of Directors of Midland Need to Read was held. Since June of 1985, Midland Need to Read has been an independent organization.
[top of page]

What type of outreach does Midland Need to Read provide?

Any organizations desiring instruction to help their clients obtain better reading or English skills are encouraged to schedule training through Midland Need to Read. Staff from health care facilities, training centers, and community service organizations have completed training and are using materials provided to Midland Need to Read for the benefit of their clients.

Midland Need to Read provides materials and volunteer training for the after school children's reading program, "Read with Me".

Who serves on the Board of Directors of Midland Need to Read?

The 20-member board is composed of representatives of the social service, educational, and private industry segment of our community. A client representative and tutors also serve on the board.

What are the goals of Midland Need to Read in the coming year?

Need to Read plans to expand and serve 397 students in the 2003 program year.
[top of page]

How is Need to Read funded?

Original start-up funding was provided by a $20,000 one-year grant from the Texas Education Agency in 1984. In July of 1985, Midland Need to Read became an independent non-profit corporation. Presently, funding comes from various sources, including foundation grants and individual contributors. Midland Need to Read has received fund from the United Way of Midland since 987 and is presently a program provider. "Afternoon at the Theatre," a special midland Theater Center performance benefiting Midland Need to Read, adds needed funds and raises community awareness. The current budget of $121,000 funds the educational and administrative services necessary for the programs operation.
[top of page]