GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Guilford County Schools reported a drop in student proficiency scores, connected with learning loss from the pandemic. 

 

What You Need To Know

  • Guilford County Schools reported a 12 percentage point drop in student proficiency levels between 2019 and 2021 academic years
  • Say Yes Guilford offers free virtual tutoring for GCS students in grades K-5
  • Students can get up to two hours of tutoring a week

 

Proficiency levels for the district dropped from 55.1% in 2019 to 42.4% in 2021, marking a 12-point difference between the years.

Some students and parents are now seeking out extra help with Say Yes Guilford virtual tutoring. The program offers free one-on-one tutoring with students up to two hours a week for GCS students in grades K-5. 

Katie Ratley is a senior in high school. She started as a tutor with Say Yes Guilford more than a year ago as a way to complete volunteer hours. 

“I like getting to help kids. And I think it’s a great opportunity for everyone to get the help that they need because our teachers are stretched so thin,” Ratley said. 

Ratley tutors three GCS students weekly. She started working with fourth-grader Harper Cummings. Cummings started learning virtually in the second grade. Her mother, Yolanda, noticed that she could use some extra help in her reading and math. 

“That’s when you’re building the foundation for really the rest of your education. If you miss something along the way, sometimes it’s hard to course correct and come back,” Yolanda Cummings said.

Yolanda Cummings enrolled her daughter in Say Yes Guilford’s tutoring program for reading last year and added math tutoring this year. By working with Ratley, Harper Cummings has been able to practice her vocabulary and math skills. 

“It feels good to feel like there’s an ally right, there’s someone else out there also looking out for the kids. It’s not about just sending them to school,” Yolanda Cummings said. 

Say Yes Guilford is joining Guilford County Schools in working to raise student proficiency scores this academic year. The organization lends learning resources and materials to tutors so they can assist students as needed.

Say Yes Guilford’s virtual tutoring program has helped more than 100 elementary and middle school students over the past year.

The program is actively seeking more tutors. For more information on the program, click here.