By Angie Favot
Working on homework are two high school students. The school just began a peer tutoring program where both the tutor and tutee get paid. (Photo courtesy of Melvindale High School)
MELVINDALE –– Margarita Frommert, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, did not expect that a "minigrant" of $7,500 would basically transform Melvindale High School.
"I never thought it would blossom to this," she said.
The grant from Ford Motor Co's Operation Goodwill is being used for a tutoring program Frommert created.
Under the program, high school students are tutoring their peers with one major incentive for both sides — pay.
Tutors are paid $8 per hour to tutor their peers for two hours, two days a week. The students being tutored also are paid $4 per hour for the same time. About 80 students meet from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in three rooms throughout the school.
Getting paid is contingent on perfect attendance for the six-week tutoring session and grade improvement. The program has been going on for a couple of weeks.
There was a presentation on the tutoring program at Monday's Board of Education meeting.
"My proposal was to enhance student achievement by creating a forum where students could receive one-on-one help twice a week; therefore, the tutoring and coaching project emerged," Frommert said.
Teachers recommended students, and there was an application process, she said.
She said she was brought to tears of joy as she walked around listening to students teaching peers.
"Students who were once failing reported how their student tutor and coach helped them and how they are now passing — making B's and A's," Frommert said. "Student coaches even ask classroom teachers how their student peers are doing and what skills they need to develop."
English teacher Wendy Demick organized and implemented the program, along with the help of Devon Peterson, the Title I support teacher.
Demick said a pleasant surprise is that the tutors' grades also are improving.
"They're happy to be there," she said.
Frommert said more grant money is expected to come, so that students can continue the tutoring program.
A student tutor spoke during the school board meeting and said one of his peers being tutored has gone from a 33 percent to a 91 percent in one of his classes.
Trustee Anita Rader also said her son is being helped through the program.
Contact Staff Writer Angie Favot at afavot@heritage.com or 1-734-246-0832.
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