GREENSBORO, N.C. — Guilford County Schools is receiving $2 million in federal funding for its tutoring initiative to help students navigating learning loss.
What You Need To Know
NCDPI found time outside of classroom negatively impacted students in almost all subjects
GCS will receive $2 million in federal funding for its nationally acclaimed tutoring program to help rebound learning loss in students
The federal funding comes from the recently passed Omnibus spending bill’s Community Project Funding
A report by the North Carolina Department of Instruction found that time outside of the classroom during the pandemic negatively impacted students in almost all subjects.
Comparing test scores from the 2020-21 academic year to the projected scores, the report shows students made less progress during the pandemic than in previous years. Scores in math and science were most negatively impacted.
Guilford County Schools, Wake County Public Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools all saw drops in science and math scores.
All three districts provide tutoring services and extra help for students, but Guilford County Schools will be receiving a major bump in funding.
On March 24, Congresswoman Kathy Manning and GCS Superintendent Sharon Contreras announced the district will receive $2 million in federal funding for its high intensive tutoring programs to help accelerate learning.
“Expanding our tutoring program will allow us to reach students who have suffered learning loss over the past two years,” Contreras said in a statement.
The funding will go toward expanding tutoring subjects, funding more graduate assistants and serving more students.
Many tutors will be students from N.C. A&T and UNC Greensboro. The federal funding comes from the recently passed Omnibus spending bill as part of Community Project Funding, according to Manning.
Say Yes Guilford, a nonprofit group that provides resources and scholarships for GCS students, will receive part of the funding for its tutoring program in elementary schools. The organization started the HELPS (Helping Early Literacy and Practice Strategies) program at two GCS schools in fall 2019. Tutor Blanca Hernandez believes the incoming expansion is necessary.
“They have the chance to improve their skills, and we have the chance to see that happen,” Hernandez said.
GCS’ tutoring program currently employs about 400 tutors, serving 3,600 students. The district is the third largest in the state.
Its tutoring program is currently funded through ESSER dollars and philanthropic organizations. A timeline on when the district will receive the additional federal funding is forthcoming.