Curry School of Education | University of Virginia

Summer Reading Program

The summer reading program at McGuffey is in session for three weeks in the month of July. In 2009, the McGuffey Reading Center hosted 40 children between July 6-July 24th. Each Summer, Curry faculty and graduate students from the reading Program Area serve children from Charlottesville and the surrounding community. Most students were from Charlottesville City or surrounding county schools but some came from as far away as Kansas.

Applications for the summer reading program are accepted throughout the year (with a required $15.00 nonrefundable application fee). Applicants are screened by McGuffey graduate clinicians and clinicians will call to set up the appointment. The cost for the Summer Reading Program is $450.

The Tutoring Program

Once accepted, each child works either one-on-one or in a small group with a graduate student in Reading Education. The summer reading program serves as the culminating practicum for graduate students seeking their endorsement as reading specialists. They work closely with a clinic supervisor who is already a reading specialist to develop an intensive individualized instructional program that best meets the needs of their students. The daily tutoring routine includes easy reading to build oral reading fluency; instructional-level reading for comprehension; word study for phonics, spelling, and vocabulary instruction; and writing. Children are also assigned homework throughout the week.

School Year Tutoring in Fall and Spring

When school begins each year, many parents want to have reading tutoring assistance for their children.  The McGuffey Reading Center is pleased to offer this service.  In Spring 2009, the reading tutoring will be twice per week on Monday and Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The cost will be $325 for 13 weeks of after school reading tutoring.  If you are interested in enrolling your child in this after school reading tutoring program, please contact Bobbie Gallo at 434-924-0916 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for the application form or to ask questions. The first session will be January 28 and the last session will be May 4.

NOTE: The McGuffey Reading Center is part of the curriculum for Master's degree in Reading or a Doctoral degree in Reading at the University of Virginia.  Because it is a part of the Curry School of Education curriculum, our clinic hours must work within the allotted class schedule each term.  The Clinic does not have appointments or tutoring other than specific hours on specific days which vary from semester to semester.  Appointments are very limited and not easily changed.

For more information about these programs, please contact one of the following:

Marcia Invernizzi, Ph.D.
Professor, Director of the McGuffey Reading Center
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Latisha Hayes, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Clinic Supervisor
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For questions about fees or applications please contact: