Joyful Readers is a Philadelphia-based tutoring program that recently lost AmeriCorps funding in sweeping Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts. The cuts to AmeriCorps are temporarily paused due to a court-ordered injunction, but the future of the program remains uncertain. Research for Action (RFA), as the independent evaluator, conducted a two-year assessment of the Joyful Readers program and found consistent evidence of a positive impact on student literacy outcomes. The evaluation findings support continued and potentially expanded investment in the program rather than funding reductions. This recommendation is particularly relevant for Philadelphia, where early literacy outcomes remain significantly below those of other major U.S. cities. For example, in 2024, only 17 percent of Philadelphia’s fourth-grade students achieved reading proficiency.
The Program
Joyful Readers utilizes AmeriCorps tutors to deliver evidence-based, structured literacy instruction to students during the school day. The tutoring is considered “high-dosage” because students see their tutor for 30 minutes every school day. This amounted to an average of 29 hours of literacy tutoring for each student.
The Impact
RFA’s evaluation found that Joyful Readers students made sizeable gains in reading. On average, students in the Joyful Readers program showed greater gains in literacy than typically expected over a school year, improving by eight percentile points on a standardized reading assessment. This was consistent over two years of RFA evaluation.
AmeriCorps tutors are a foundational element of the Joyful Readers program, providing consistent, targeted literacy support to early elementary students. Their daily presence in classrooms helps reinforce structured literacy instruction and offers students individualized attention that complements core reading curricula. Tutors support small-group and one-on-one instruction, helping to build foundational skills and increase student confidence. Their engagement not only extends the instructional capacity of schools but also helps create a positive and encouraging learning environment for young readers.
The contributions of AmeriCorps tutors have a direct and observable impact on student learning outcomes. Through structured lesson delivery and relationship-building with students, tutors play a key role in making literacy instruction more accessible and engaging. Their sustained involvement allows for instructional consistency across the school year—an essential factor in supporting early literacy growth.
The Bottom Line
Programs like Joyful Readers help young, struggling readers grow to their potential. With results this strong, Joyful Readers’ programming warrants continued investment and expansion, not major budget cuts.