Project Read Plus serves adults age 17 or older who are not currently enrolled in high school. Whether you dropped out of high school or have a high school diploma, GED, certificate, or college degree, we may be able to help you.
We provide free, one-on-one tutoring in the following areas:
- phonics (beginning reading)
- reading comprehension
- math
Depending on your goals, we may also help with the following:
- study skills
- organizational skills
- test preparation
How much does tutoring cost?
Project Read Plus provides free, one-on-one tutoring. There is no cost to students in our program.
When and where does tutoring take place?
Tutoring takes place in the Project Read Plus office on the second floor of the Decatur Public Library. Appointments are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
How do I sign up for tutoring?
Call us at (217) 423-7323 or come to the Project Read Plus office:
Project Read Plus
Decatur Public Library, Second Floor
130 N. Franklin Street
Decatur, IL 62523
We are open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We will ask about your background, your goals, and when you are available for tutoring. Please tell us if someone referred you to our program.
When can I start?
We will match you with a tutor as soon as possible. Until then, you will be placed on our student waiting list. The date you will start depends on your schedule, the help you need, and our tutors’ availability. We cannot give you an exact starting date.
What will happen at my first appointment?
In order to get to know you and your needs, we will discuss the following:
- your basic information and educational background
- your community connections and referrals
- your goals
- our confidentiality policy and student contract
To identify what you already know and what you need to learn, you will complete several assessments. Based on these, we will develop a plan for how we can best help you. We may use these assessment tools:
- SORT (reading)
- Project Read Plus Reading Assessment (reading)
- TABE (reading and math)
- Project Read Plus Math Facts Assessment (math)
What will happen after my first appointment?
We may schedule additional appointments to complete your assessment and develop a plan to meet your goals. Then we will match you with one or more tutors and set a regular schedule for your tutoring sessions.
Will I have homework?
Yes. You will have regular homework if you are being tutored in math or reading comprehension. Students being tutored in phonics (beginning reading) may have less homework.
You will never receive homework on something that you have not been taught. Homework is used to practice the skills you learn at Project Read Plus and to make sure you have mastered a skill before moving on.
How long does it take to finish your program?
We will work at your pace, so we don’t know how long it will take you to complete our program. Our goal is to help you build a solid foundation; we will not cram to meet a deadline.
Students who are tutored two or three times a week usually progress more quickly than students who are tutored once a week. Each tutoring session lasts one hour.
You must be on time and consistently here for your appointments. If regular attendance will be a problem, now is not the best time for you to begin our program.
Does Project Read Plus provide childcare?
No. You are not allowed to bring children with you to your scheduled appointments. Project Read Plus cannot provide childcare while you are being tutored.