Birmingham City Schools (BCS) and United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) launched an intensive tutoring program during the spring semester for BCS students dealing with COVID-related learning loss. The program links local college students, who serve as tutors in math and English language arts, with small groups of BCS students.
Nearly 60 tutors from area colleges and universities participated during the spring semester, providing academic support to more than 300 BCS students. The program will continue this summer during the critical months leading up to the start of a new school year in August.
With COVID-related learning loss affecting students across the country, intensive tutoring interventions have been shown to be an effective strategy to get students back on track academically. With every BCS school having received tutoring services through the program this past spring, work is now underway to expand the program in the fall by providing additional tutors within each school to reach more students and make an even greater impact.
“Honestly, I would still recommend this program to friends because I truly enjoy teaching the students I have. They have been great to teach, and I see the impact I have on these students. I want to tutor at the same school in the future,” said Maelyn Senwo, one of the participating college students serving at Putnam Middle School.
Area college students who are interested in serving as tutors during the fall semester can learn more about the program and submit an application at the program website bcstutoring.org.
For more information on the Birmingham City Schools Tutoring Partnership program, please contact TutoringPartnership@uwca.org.