April Williams recently signed up her son for tutoring services, choosing an online private company to guide her Academy of Richmond County High School student.
By the start of next year, Ms. Williams and many other parents of qualified children attending Title I schools in Richmond County could have another tutoring option -- the public school system.
"It would be more convenient because they would already be at the school," Ms. Williams said in support of the school system offering its own tutoring service, adding "They (the system's approved teachers) would know my child."
The school system plans to file a request with the Georgia Department of Education asking to be approved as a Supplemental Educational Services provider, allowing it to offer tutoring. The current list only includes private businesses.
"We would be a part of the pool (if approved by the state)," said Geneva Stallings, the school system's Title I director.
The tutoring program involves a No Child Left Behind initiative that has allowed the free service to students receiving free or reduced lunch in schools that haven't made Adequate Yearly Progress for two consecutive years. Qualified students in the following 10 Richmond County schools were eligible this school year: Glenn Hills Middle School, Murphey Middle Charter School, Langford Middle School, Academy of Richmond County High School, Butler High School, Glenn Hills High School, Hephzibah High School, Josey High School, Westside High School and Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School.
Parents of such students recently went through an application process for this school year, having to choose among a list of more than 30 state-approved private companies. Mrs. Stallings said the main advantage of having the school system offer tutoring is that the staff would already be aware of a child's strengths and weaknesses.
Now, Mrs. Stallings said her department is seeking public input on the idea to help in its state approval process. Such comments should be e-mailed to Mrs. Stallings at stallge@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us or faxed to (706) 826-4652 by Sept. 28.
Mrs. Stallings said she expects to hear back from the state in November, and, if approved, the school system could become an option for parents by the start of the next year.
"We're looking forward to it," Mrs. Stallings said, adding that parents who have already chosen a tutoring provider can always change to another one if they're not satisfied.
Currently, the tutoring program seems to be a popular one, with more than 500 applications received for this school year. If the state approves the tutoring services, a provider fair would be held at the start of next year, allowing parents to choose the school system as an option.
Mrs. Stallings said a provider this year could receive up to $1,581 per child for the whole year involving Title I funds. If enough funds remain through the year, she said the tutoring option could also be extended to students who attend the 10 eligible schools but aren't on reduced or free lunch.
Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 823-3228 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
TITLE I PARENT OPEN HOUSE
WHAT: The Richmond County School System's Title I Department will offer a parent open house to discuss issues
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: First floor of the school system's central office building on Broad Street
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Why are poorly-performing students whose less affluent parents reside in the catchment areas for schools which make AYP still being left behind when it comes to the provision of free tutoring services for such students?
Now Richmond county BOE has it: all tutoring for students who aren't taugth in the first place and stepped up security headed up by a questionable former Sheriff's deputy.
Money drives everything. Now, having said that, we must ask ourselves, does the teachers who will be paid for this extra service, make more if they have more kids needing help? And how do we insure full attendance at these extra money workshops, why, by not teaching during normal hours. And who approves the need for extra help, why surprise, surprise , surprise its the teachers. Our teachers are strapped for time now, so I don't see how we could expect them to tackle a new project. Finally, I am confused as to whether the kids are hungry for food or education. What has reduced meals have to do with education? It sounds like the politicians (lawyers) have been focusing our attention on other things.
gee....if everyone will notice...all high schools are listed...isn't that a "surprise", why did it take so long when all the high schools have failed to meet ayp and did poorly on the crct on a consistent basis all of these years, well today is friday and its time for high school football, so all's well in the universe, at least in richmond county until sunday
What happened to going to the teacher before or after school to get extra help?! The teacher is already paid for it - why spend the extra money? Next thing you know they will be offering bus services for those in after school tutoring too. Heck, why not feed them dinner too! No wonder why Richmond County needs to up the property taxes!
Disssman, huh? Make more if they have kids needing help? Nothing stops a teacher now for tutoring students for extra money. It is perfectly legal and any teacher can legally do it. And no, the teachers will not approve the need for extra help. That will be done with failing test scores. Believe me, there are SO MANY kids that need tutoring, there will immediately be a waiting list. You act as if there are only a few kids who need tutoring. Not so. The demand will far outstrip the supply.
Cathie, because the teachers are busy WORKING after school. And because of safety and liability reasons, not to mention transportation and supervision issues, children are not allowed to remain after school. Having a child alone with an adult in an empty school is asking for major problems for both of them.
The teacher is already paid for it -teachers are not paid to come in early or stay after school. We do so if we want to get something done. Most of the time there aren't enough hours in the school work day to get everything done.
I can't speak for the other grades, but try to complete anything that requires any degree of concentration, with 22 5-year-olds in a room. Even if they are settled and working, you are interrupted about every 10 seconds- from "I need to use the bathroom" to "Can I get a drink" to "He/she/they are looking/hitting/touching/saying mean things to me" to "When is recess/lunch/snack time" to "I don't have a crayon/scissors/glue stick/paper". It is very difficult to get anything done. And if they aren't settled and working, they need to be watched constantly. Some kids require constant supervision because they have problems.
wcorowitz, I agree with your last comment. Most teachers work additional hours on a daily basis trying to catch up on paperwork and planning. I do know some high school teachers who voluntarily offer tutoring before the students begin the school day. Elementary teachers barely have time to go to the bathroom, much less add time to tutor (on a regular basis) during their few minutes before or after school. Hopefully the teachers who will be tutoring will receive compensation for taking on an additional responsibility. I also hope that data is collected on these students throughout the year to make sure that they DO make progress. If not, it could just turn out to be another free babysitting service.
When I went to school, we had 36 kids in class, one teacher, no teachers aid. We learned to read and write by the second grade.The biggest problem was chewing gum, or having your hair too long(this was during the 1960 era) . We behaved during class, and that is the difference.
I remember those days all too well, kiseta50. Unfortunately, times have changed.
Crack babies and psychologically disturbed kids. We didn't have those in school back then. It's very different now.
Be not deceived! This is NOT about improving student achievement through tutoring. It is about the $$$ that is received by SES providers. It is apparent from the number of applications (over 500) that businesses are attracted to this program for the money. Now, the RCSS wants in. There has been LITTLE to NO change in standardized test scores since NCLB began implementing and funding these SESs. If anything, CRCT and GHSGT scores are RAPIDLY declining every year! When are people going to stop fattening their pockets at the expense of our children?? Examine the annual standardized test results and decide for yourself whether these SESs are focused on student improvement or on THEIR own ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT! BE NOT DECEIVED! OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER! Just because these programs are FREE to parents doesn't mean that they are helping our children.