LANSING, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Students who do well in reading also do well in life, and after a major learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Lansing in-school tutoring program is aiming to help bridge that academic gap.
“We are definitely seeing an impact,” said Holly Windram, the executive director of the Michigan Education Corps. “Over three-quarters, 75% of our kids, meet or exceed their growth outcomes for their grade level. What does that mean? It means we’re closing achievement gaps in reading and math for kids who need it.”
Tutors, also called interventionists within the program, sit down with students for just 20 minutes every school day. This provides consistent and individualized support for students who need a little extra help.
For Bena Hartman, the literacy specialist with the program, this reading support sets students up to be lifelong learners and critical thinkers.
“When you have people who are against certain things or are choosing the books that students read, it really hurts our students,” she said. “So it’s about survival and teaching them how to live a literate life.”