News Harvard EdCast: The Tutors Posted December 18, 2013 By Matt Weber According to the Reading Partners website, "Students reading below grade level in third grade are four times as likely as their peers to drop out of school before earning their diploma." That is why the national nonprofit has made it its mission to improve students' reading skills by providing one-on-one tutoring sessions with qualified and well-trained community volunteers. In this edition of the EdCast, Michael Lombardo, CEO of Reading Partners, shares his organization's "secret sauce" for closing the reading achievement gap. About the Harvard EdCast The Harvard EdCast is a weekly series of podcasts, available on the Harvard University iTunes U page, that features a 15-20 minute conversation with thought leaders in the field of education from across the country and around the world. Hosted by Matt Weber, the Harvard EdCast is a space for educational discourse and openness, focusing on the myriad issues and current events related to the field. News The latest research, perspectives, and highlights from the Harvard Graduate School of Education Explore All Articles Related Articles Usable Knowledge Summer Learning Happens at Home New research suggests it’s family involvement, not camps or trips, that keeps kids primed for learning all summer. Usable Knowledge Fighting the Summer Reading Slump James Kim has found that oral reading and comprehension modeling or "scaffolding" can make a significant difference. Usable Knowledge Using E-Books to Get Young Readers Talking New research shows how parents can help kids — and themselves — use e-books as a tool to improve early childhood development