Stop.

It's a simple, four-letter word found on many street signs. But about 2.5 million Pennsylvania residents can't read it.

According to statistics from the Pennsylvania Adult Education State Plan, 29.9 percent of the Commonwealth's general population is functionally illiterate.

The Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy, 204 Calder Way, is part of the University's College of Education. Students can earn credits while helping others through a program called Literacy Corps.

Literacy Corps gives students the opportunity to tutor area residents with literacy disorders. The students also attend a weekly, three-credit seminar class.

"I hope the course will develop awareness among students about the need for volunteers to combat illiteracy," instructor Dehra Shafer said. "Literacy Corps gives students a chance to integrate volunteer service with their academic life."

The course, Curriculum & Instruction 297B, is open to all majors and requires the student to perform at least 40 hours of tutoring during the sememster.

Adults, middle-school students at risk of dropping out of school and immigrants all benefit from Literacy Corps, which is also available at the University's Berks, Delaware County, and McKeesport campuses. Other Pennsylvania universities such as Temple and Slippery Rock also offer the program.

The Literacy Corps, which is funded by both federal and state governments, not only provides tutoring in reading and writing, but in other skills such as math and foreign languages.

"We've tried to develop a network that includes all the schools," said Sheila Sherow, an instructor and project coordinator of the institute. The institute wants to "coordinate this work and make Literacy Corps in Pennsylvania truly a corps, a group effort," she said.

Annalee Zivkovich (senior-general arts and sciences) said the program is enlightening because students are working with people who have different goals than their peers.

"Some people want to read their kids 'Little Red Riding Hood' and can't even do that," said Zivkovich, a class coordinator for the program.

Zivkovich tutors people from different age groups and backgrounds. She added that older residents usually are not intimidated by younger tutors.

Some students are involved in the program for the satisfaction of being able to help others further their skills.

"I want to help someone directly and see the benefits directly," said Natalie Yeaney (senior-pre-med).

Yeaney said she is helping a Chinese-speaking polymer scientist improve his English.

"It will make the difference between him getting a job and not getting a job," she said. "I think (the program) is really worthwhile."