Reading Center

The Reading Center of the Department of Literacy at West Chester University provides evaluative and tutorial reading services for students in Grades 1 to 12.  The Reading Center's program provides an opportunity for children to learn how they can become stronger readers and learners.  In addition, it is an integral aspect of the department's M.Ed. in Reading/Reading Specialist graduate programs that prepare graduate students (candidates), most of whom are practicing teachers, to serve as Reading Specialists and literacy coaches.

The Reading Center is located in Recitation Hall, Room 209. A map of campus and parking information can both be found by using the "Parking" tab provided on Public Safety's website. 

Mission

The mission of West Chester University's Reading Center is to prepare undergraduates, graduates, and professional educators to facilitate the literacy development and learning of all students, and to meet the changing educational needs in their schools and communities.

Staff

The Reading Center is staffed by certified teachers who are graduate students in the Literacy Department's M.Ed. in Reading/Reading Specialist graduate programs. Under the supervision of the department's faculty, candidates meet standards established by the PDE, so as to become Reading Specialists and literacy coaches.

Program

Each child who participates in the Reading Center program is individually assessed for the purpose of identifying literacy development strengths and needs.  Analysis of each child's assessment data allows candidates to design and deliver appropriate instruction and interventions.  Specific goals for students of the Reading Center program depend on their strengths and areas of need; however, the general goals of the Reading Center consist of the following:

• develop adequate decoding
• develop a basic sight vocabulary
• learn and apply comprehension strategies
• strengthen writing skills
• improve study skills
• enjoy reading for pleasure

At the conclusion of each program, parents receive a complete report of their child's experience;  reports are written by each child's tutors as they are guided by their supervisor.  Reports include: assessment results, a description of the program undertaken with each child, and recommendations for continued literacy development.  Reports are both provided and discussed with parents at the end of the semester during the program's Celebration Ceremony. 

Important Information

Our programs run parallel to each fall, spring, and summer II semester of the University's current academic year. Applications are free and accepted at any time throughout the year. Upon acceptance and admittance into one of our programs, the one-time total cost of tuition (per semester) is $100.00.

Please download our Important Application/Admission Dates and Acceptance Information , and save it along with your completed Reading Center Application . You will find this document to be most helpful in answering all of your questions pertaining to application/acceptance dates, program dates, and acceptance procedures.