STATEHOUSE (Aug. 27, 2020) – This new school year, State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) said there are opportunities for high school juniors and seniors to tutor young students in order to fulfill graduation requirements.
Aylesworth said students can experience some form of learning loss over summer break, meaning they do not retain some of the lessons they learned the previous school year, but most are typically able to relearn these lessons quickly. However, because students participated in remote- or e-learning due to COVID-19, a recent NWEA report estimates some children could begin the 2020-2021 school year up to nearly a full grade level behind their peers in some subject areas. To help bridge this gap, Aylesworth said schools can implement the Indiana Department of Education's newly developed Indiana Tutoring Fellowship, which will fulfill the Service-Based Learning Experience under Graduation Pathway Requirement #2.
"Schools are finding ways to adapt and support students during the ongoing pandemic," Aylesworth said. "Making the change from in-person to remote learning can make retaining information harder for many school children. This program is a unique opportunity for juniors and seniors to tutor younger students that need a little extra help."
To be eligible to participate in this program, Aylesworth said students must be a high school junior or senior, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and be in good behavioral standing. The IDOE recommends tutoring sessions take place virtually, but if students are permitted to meet face-to-face, social distancing must be followed. Tutors will work with students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Aylesworth supported the 2017 law creating Indiana's graduation pathways, which allows students to pursue opportunities that best meet their education and career goals.
To implement a tutoring program, schools can apply for a federal grant through the CARES Act. Applications are due by 4 p.m., Sept. 4, and can be found online at doe.in.gov/grants/title-iv.
Visit doe.in.gov/graduation-pathways for more information.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
