INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Wednesday the start of a literacy tutoring program at 10 Indianapolis schools following a successful spring pilot program.

Hogsett originally announced the Circle City Readers program in October 2022. The literacy program was funded with $1 million from the city’s federal American Rescue Plan allocation, which was unanimously approved by the City-County Council, according to a news release.

“Every day, we hear reports that a lack of reading skills is the most urgent education issue facing our state and nation,” Hogsett said in the release. “That’s why we are continuing to take action to meet the needs of our students and families, and I’m excited to say we’re already seeing results.”

Circle City Readers uses evidence-based “science of reading” curriculum from Amplify.

The spring pilot program included 36 students who received tutoring three times per week for eight weeks, totaling 20 lessons.

Final assessments of the spring pilot showed that students were improving their fluency, the number of words they can read, and reading accuracy, according to a release. About 25% of the students made average or above growth.

With the program expanding into the 2023-2024 school year, tutoring will take place at the following schools:

• Pleasant Run Elementary School (Metropolitan School District of Warren Township).
• Hawthorne Elementary School (Metropolitan School District of Warren Township).
• Sankofa School of Success at Arlington Woods School 99 (Indianapolis Public Schools).
• Global Prep Academy at Riverside School 44 (IPS).
• The PATH School at Stephen Foster School 67 (IPS).
• Liberty Grove at Elder Diggs School 42 (IPS).
• Tindley Genesis Academy.
• Avondale Meadows Academy.
• Vision Academy Riverside
• Jonathan Jennings School 109 (IPS) Boys & Girls Club.

The program will employ 40 tutors by the time tutoring begins Sept. 5.

“We are excited that Circle City Readers will come in and support our students,” said Amy Hartung, a reading interventionist in Warren Township Schools, in the release. “Based on their success in the district from last year, our students will benefit from the support of their dedicated team working in conjunction with Pleasant Run teachers and staff. We look forward to continuing our partnership.”