We Love Durham NC

Free Tutoring for Durham Students

Although the majority of Durham Schools met the state’s ABCs of Accountability standards for growth last year, several did not meet Federal Adequate Yearly Progress standards. If subgroups of students do not meet AYP standards, the school fails to meet the standards (subgroups include categories of race, income, and special needs). As at least one principal noted, one major challenge for schools with a large number of English as a Second Language students is preparing them well enough in their second language to take the tests. (Currently ESL students have 2 years to learn English before taking the tests.) If you’ve ever seen an example test, you know that a high level of English literacy is required, even for the math problems.

But that’s a reason, not an excuse, and the schools are forging ahead by offering free tutoring services for students in schools who (a) are in a Title I school not making AYP in the same subject for 3+ years and (b) receive free or reduced-price school lunch.

Eligible schools are Bethesda, Forest View, Oak Grove, Burton, Glenn, Parkwood, Club Boulevard, Hillandale, WG Pearson, Eastway, Holt, EK Powe, Eno Valley, Hope Valley, YE Smith, Fayetteville, Merrick-Moore, and George Watts. (Many of these schools are considered to be desirable schools, with strong PTAs and community support, and success on other yardsticks of academic excellence.)

An application is required for the program, and parents can pick their top three choices of the available tutoring services.

Tutoring services participating are:

Academic Achievers by S&L Consultants
Academics Plus, Inc.
Accelerated Achievement at Measurement, Inc.
Achieve Success Tutoring by University Instructors, Inc.
Brainfuse
Bright Futures Learning
Capitol Educational Support
Failure Free Reading
Glosso Educational Services, Inc.
Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.
KnowledgePoints of the Triangle
MasterMind Prep Learning Solutions
NCCU Academic Enrichment Academy
Salient Learning, Inc.
The Enrichment Centers of NCLB, Inc.

Transportation is not provided.

Tutoring Provider Fairs will be held September 9 (at Hillside, 6:30pm) and September 11 (Southern High, 6:30pm). Applications are due September 25th, and placements will be made by October 2nd, with tutoring beginning November 5th.

3 Comments to Free Tutoring for Durham Students

1. 

   …but it does not have criteria regarding the child’s individual performance? Is there any benefit to placing low-income genius children in tutoring sessions?

   We’ve received these notices before, but figured tutoring was just for kids not performing at or above grade level. I didn’t realize the variety of tutoring programs available. I might just attend one of the fairs out of curiosity.
Anne Ominous on August 22nd, 2008
2. 

   No, there is no individual performance criteria.
Valerie on August 23rd, 2008
3. 

   Why is it just for those that get free lunch or reduced lunch?
   I received the letter last year and decided to move my children to a better performing school that would challenge them more. They are offering tutoring based on income not if the child really needs it. Which is not fair. It is my tax dollars that is paying for this. They need to find a system that is fair to all.
Deka Marie on August 29th, 2008

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