Schools of Hope is an effort to reduce the gap in academic achievement between African-American, Latino and Southeast Asian students and their white counterparts in the Madison schools. Working closely twelve middle schools and four high schools in Dane County, the Urban League recruits, trains and matches tutors with students to ensure that all students are adequately prepared to successfully complete algebra and other academic subjects when they enter high school and successfully graduate.
Schools of Hope Background
As a tutor, you will be a part of a larger community initiative called Schools of Hope. Schools of Hope began in 1995 as a civic journalism project of the Wisconsin State Journal and WISC-TV that looked at critical including safety and discipline, cost, race and culture, family involvement and academic standards and achievement. A Leadership Team, led by United Way of Dane County, was convened. As a result of reporting on the issue of achievement in the schools, it was apparent to the Team that the achievement gap between students of color and their white peers was growing larger. This was in spite of millions of dollars and "good efforts" that had been tried over the past twenty years at the school district to reduce the gap. The leadership team expanded the activity related to the achievement gap into a community effort, led by United Way of Dane County, that supports the work of the schools to reduce the gap between the achievement scores of white students and students of color.
In 1995, Schools of Hope set a goal of reducing the racial achievement gap in 3rd grade reading by 2000. By placing trained tutors in over 25 Madison elementary schools, the gap began to narrow three years ahead of plan. Through financial support from the United Way, the City of Madison, and MMSD, the Urban League and Madison School-Community Recreation (MSCR) set out in 2000 to replicate this success primarily in the area of middle school math. Since that time, other community partners such as Madison Area Technical College (MATC) and Centro Hispano have joined in. Working closely with nine Madison middle schools the League recruits, trains and matches tutors one-on-one and in small groups with struggling students. We aim to ensure that all students are adequately prepared to successfully complete algebra and other academic subjects when they enter high since it's inception more than eight years ago, over 3,000 middle school students have received tutoring assistance from committed group of more than 1,500 tutors.
How Can You Help? Be a tutor!
We currently need volunteer and Work Study tutors at twelve middle schools and four high schools throughout Dane County. Tutors meet one-on-one or with small groups of students at least an hour each week. Tutoring happens at the school, Monday through Friday, either during the student’s study hall, learning lab, classroom periods, or after school. During this time, tutors will provide their student with academic guidance including assignment completion, test preparation, study skills, organization and time management skills.
Why Help?
- Because tutors make a difference in the lives of students! Past tutors and teachers alike overwhelmingly report that the support you can give makes a difference in students academic performance, behavior, and attitude toward school.
- Because tutors develop fun and rewarding relationships with youth.
- Because Schools of Hope is regarded as one of the most successful tutoring initiatives in the area.
- Because tutors receive free professional training and ongoing support from highly skilled professionals.
- Because you may be able to fulfill course requirements including practicums, internships and service learning projects.
Qualifications
- Ability to effectively communicate and an understanding of the needs of underachieving students.
- Ability to establish and maintain a trusting and positive relationship with middle and high school students.
- Second language skills, particularly Spanish, Hmong, and Cambodian are highly desirable.
- A background free of convictions for serious offenses as determined by School District guidelines.