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INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana is one of four states participating in a federal pilot program that allows schools to provide earlier access to free tutoring for low-income students.
Education leaders hope the program helps struggling students catch up with their peers.
“It’s important that students be given that opportunity for additional help,” said Molly Chamberlin, director of the state’s division of education options.
Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, schools receiving Title I federal money – aimed at helping students from low-income families – face sanctions after two consecutive years of not meeting adequate yearly progress goals.
Typically, schools in the first year of “improvement status” must offer parents the choice to move their child to another school. Services like free tutoring for low-income children can be offered only in the second year of improvement status.
But the pilot program allows schools to offer tutoring in the first year of improvement status and school choice in the second.
Nineteen school districts in Indiana, Alaska, North Carolina and Virginia are participating in the program this year, including the Decatur Township schools in Indianapolis, Monroe County Community Schools in Bloomington and Blackford County Schools in Hartford City.
Some school officials say it makes sense to offer tutoring before school choice, which can involve transporting children to a new school until their old school improves.
“We feel like dollars spent on instruction, rather than gasoline and transportation, are dollars far better spent,” said Cathy Diersing, director of literacy programs for the Monroe County schools.
Tutoring services are provided by private companies approved by the state Department of Education. Tutoring can take place before or after school. Some tutors meet with small groups of students while others work with individual students in their homes. Some providers even offer online tutoring programs.
Parents can pick which option works best for their child.
“They appreciate the opportunity to make the choice,” said Anna Cook, coordinator of special programs for Decatur Township schools.
“There isn’t really one size fits all when it comes to tutoring a student.”
