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State approves 24 tutoring programs for struggling schools
by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio
November 7, 2003

Students take a practice reading test during an after-school session at Hospitality House. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

State education officials have authorized 24 organizations to give tutoring help to disadvantaged students in struggling schools. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires designated schools to pay for outside math and reading instruction. The list of approved providers includes public schools, for-profit companies, private foundations and some religious groups.

Minneapolis, Minn. — Federal education law requires schools that have failed to meet performance goals for three years to help students from low-income families enroll in tutoring programs. The Minnesota Department of Education identified 14 schools this year that fall under the requirement. Minneapolis has 10, St. Paul three and Red Lake one. The schools must spend up to $1,500 dollars of their federal Title I money on help for each eligible student. Parents get to choose a program from the state's list of approved providers. State Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke says these partnerships will benefit students and schools.

"The hope is that the children will see improved academic achievement, which will in turn raise the achievement level of the school and hopefully pull the school out of being identified as not making adequate yearly progress," Yecke said.

The department considered applications from 47 organizations. Yecke says the 24 programs selected had to meet strict criteria. She says they had to show proof of qualified staff, financial stability and program effectiveness.

"We will be working with school districts to determine whether or not we're seeing measurable gains as a result of the services that are being provided," Yecke said. "If we find that there is a provider who is not living up to their contracts, then the contract will be pulled."

	Sue Thomas

The Minneapolis school district has set aside about 15 percent of its federal Title I money, or $3 million, to pay for the tutoring of at least two-thousand students. District officials have already held informational meetings with parents in the 10 designated schools. Sue Thomas, the district's Title I director, says parents must choose a provider carefully.

"It's like buyer beware with anything," Thomas said. "I think you have to go out and know what your kid needs. And you have to get on the phone and be able to talk to some people about the kind of services and whether it's a match for your students, just like as when you're shopping for a school."

Thomas says the Minneapolis school district is offering its own after-school tutoring option. The St. Paul school district is doing the same. The state approved both school-sponsored programs.

Faith-based groups also made the list. East Side Learning Center in St. Paul is operated by an order of Catholic nuns. Hospitality House in Minneapolis is a Christian-based community organization.

	Larry McKenzie

Five elementary students get instructions for a practice reading test in a classroom at Hospitality House in north Minneapolis. The organization has been providing academic and recreational opportunities to African American youth for more than 40 years. It's after school programs currently serve nearly 300 kids. Executive Director Larry McKenzie says Hospitality House was well positioned to become a supplemental service provider.

"When you look at the alarming failure rates of our kids in terms of not being able to pass the basic standards tests and all of those kinds of things," McKenzie said. "I mean we felt we've been doing it, we have a pretty good handle on how we can support those kids and support the district and support the community by providing the services. And so that's why we applied."

The mission of Hospitality House is centered on Christianity, but McKenzie says that won't be an issue when tutoring students. Commissioner Yecke says there are clear rules for faith-based groups.

"They have to actually keep separate books, they have to keep a separate account for the use of their funds for this endeavor," Yecke said. "There can be no proselytizing. There can be no faith-based curriculum used."

Designated schools will be notifying parents of eligible students in the coming days about the state list. A formal meeting with the selected provider is required to set specific learning goals before the tutoring sessions can begin.

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