St. Joseph Public Schools announced a new program Monday to provide its students with small group tutoring in an effort to combat the learning loss that happened during COVID.
The district’s classroom teachers will provide the tutoring before and after school, with a focus on ensuring students receive individualized attention and support in their areas of need.
Assistant Superintendent Kristen Bawks told the school board Monday that the elementary program has already started, and there are more than 100 students impacted.
“Twenty-six teachers are dedicating their time outside of the school day to tutoring students within their classroom,” Bawks said. “The invitations for tutoring sessions were based on the data analysis of some unfinished learning during the pandemic.
According to a report from Bridge Michigan, 4th graders in the state saw bigger declines in reading scores than the national average since 2019. Scores in math also declined, along with the rest of the nation.
“We really prioritize relationships with staff members to help to ensure that the same staff members who are working with [students] throughout the day are also supporting them outside of the school day because that established relationship is there and the teachers know their skillset.”
Outside school because that established relationship is there. And cause, um, the teachers know their skillset, know their next steps, their theirs, and their grows.
District Superintendent Jenny Fee says the new program was founded on a principle that high-impact tutoring is relationship based, and is grateful for teachers who have built positive relationships with their students and chosen to dedicate their time and expertise to tutoring.
Bawks said the district also will focus on the transitions between fifth and sixth grade, as well as between eighth and ninth grade, with a nine-day tutoring program prior to the school year.
“It will be a little transition planning for our academically at-risk fifth graders to specially invite them to the middle school for a little kickstart to the school year,” Bawks said. “This will give them some preventative work rather than reactionary.”
Bawks added there are several teachers dedicated to writing that curriculum. She also said they will be helping students who have failed high school courses with a three-week curriculum in August to help with the credit recovery.
“We are excited to offer this new tutoring initiative to our students,” said Superintendent Jenny Fee, in a statement. “Our classroom teachers are the backbone of our education system, and we are grateful for their dedication to helping our students succeed. By providing individualized attention and support, this program will help our students to reach their full potential.”
The program is funded by the 98c Learning Loss Grant through the state.
