Math & Reading Buddy Programs
Every Child Deserves to Love Learning
Reading and math proficiency in early elementary grades set the foundation for a lifetime of learning — but too many students in Southwest Missouri are falling behind before they even reach third grade. Four out of 10 Missouri 4th graders scored below the Basic level on the assessment, and just 36% reached proficiency in math. These aren’t just statistics—they’re neighbors’ children who need extra support to build confidence and catch up.
The Math & Reading Buddy Programs exist to change that trajectory. Since 1997, our Reading Buddy volunteers have been showing up—week after week, student after student—building relationships and helping children discover that reading and math can be joyful, not just hard work.
Impact
150+
Volunteer tutors annually
35-40
Schools served
7-8 Districts
Reading Buddy partnerships
86%
Students improved ELA scores
Since 1997
Over 25 years of impact
K-3rd Grade
Critical early intervention years
Testimonials
The Need
The early elementary years are make-or-break when it comes to literacy and math skills. Research shows that one-on-one tutoring is the gold standard for helping struggling readers improve achievement, with studies finding that students who received early literacy tutoring were over twice as likely to reach target reading levels compared to students who didn’t receive tutoring.
Yet in Missouri, the need far outweighs the resources. Missouri’s fourth-grade reading proficiency has declined from over 33% in 2019 to just 27% in 2024. Lower-performing students are also more likely to miss school, creating a cycle where falling behind leads to disengagement, which leads to further falling behind. Foundational literacy and numeracy skills (the skills taught but not always caught in K – 3rd grade) play a critical role in escaping poverty. Findings suggest that foundational skills are an important and independent factor in the broader context of poverty reduction.
Research consistently demonstrates that tutoring delivered by trained volunteers produces significant gains in decoding, fluency, and comprehension — especially when it’s relationship-based, consistent, and aligned with what students are learning in class. For math, early intervention is equally critical. Students in grades 1-2 who receive targeted math support not only catch up to grade-level milestones but also develop positive attitudes toward a subject many children decide they’re “bad at” before they even reach third grade.
Our Approach
Our programs recruit, train, and support volunteers to provide high-quality, relationship-based tutoring during the school day at local elementary schools. Teachers recommend students who need extra support, and volunteers work one-on-one to build both foundational skills and confidence. This isn’t casual “read a book together” time — our volunteers receive specialized training and ongoing support to deliver evidence-based instruction that makes a measurable difference.
Reading Buddy Program (K-3rd Grade)
Volunteers meet with the same student for 30 minutes once a week throughout the school year, building a mentoring relationship while supporting literacy development. Currently serving 7-8 districts across Springfield and surrounding areas, Reading Buddy volunteers help students improve their English Language Arts scores, with [86%] of students showing improvement last year.
Math Buddy Program (1st-2nd Grade)
This more structured program serves five Springfield Public Schools (Boyd, McGregor, Pittman, Wanda Gray, and Weller) with volunteers meeting students twice per week for 30-minute sessions. Using a research-based curriculum from the US Math Recovery Council, volunteers work with students on foundational math skills through games, manipulatives, and hands-on activities—not worksheets and flashcards. The majority of Math Buddy students—79%—met the grade-level goal in at least one strand of numeracy foundations.
Year-Long Commitment
Both programs require volunteers to commit for a full school year, allowing relationships to deepen and progress to compound. Volunteers must be 18+ and available during school hours (typically between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.). All volunteers complete background checks, attend Volunteer 101 orientation, and receive program-specific training before entering classrooms.
Data-Driven Results
We track student progress throughout the year, collecting data from school districts to measure growth in reading and math skills. Our Math Buddy Program provides even more detailed tracking, monitoring specific math strands and milestones so we can see exactly where students are making gains.
Make a Lasting Impact
Volunteering as a Math or Reading Buddy means showing up consistently, building a relationship, and proving to a young student that they can succeed at school. If you have a few hours a week during the school day and a heart for helping children learn, we’d love to welcome you to our team. Math & Reading Buddy volunteers rated their overall experience an average of 4.66 out of 5 stars, with 74% rating the experience 5 stars.
