“Club Z! Tutoring Supports 'Affordable Tutoring for Our Children' Act; Many U.S. Families Stand to Gain” plus 3 more

Club Z! Tutoring Supports 'Affordable Tutoring for Our Children' Act; Many U.S. Families Stand to Gain
Medford tutoring program recognized for excellence
KnowledgePoints gears up workshops, tutoring in Florham Park
Club Z! Tutoring Supports 'Affordable Tutoring for Our Children' Act; Many U.S. Families Stand to Gain

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Club Z! Tutoring Supports 'Affordable Tutoring for Our Children' Act; Many U.S. Families Stand to Gain

Posted: 21 May 2010 04:37 AM PDT

WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine knowing that your child needs academic tutoring, and being financially unable to provide any assistance whatsoever. For years, many middle-class families have faced this scenario, becoming increasingly marginalized in the matter of educational service affordability. While wealthy and upper middle-class families can often pay for tutoring services outright and federal law provides assistance for lower-income families through legislation such as the No Child Left Behind Act, the middle class has had no recourse but their own already-strained pockets when it comes to supplemental education for their children.

There may be a glimmer of hope for these children at last, though, if the "Affordable Tutoring for Our Children" Act is passed. Currently under review in the House of Representatives and the Senate, the bill would allow parents to use pre-tax deferred flexible spending account (FSA) dollars to pay for tutoring in core academic subject areas such as reading, math, science, and others.

As North America's largest one-on-one, in-home tutoring service, Club Z! is in the foremost ranks supporting this legislation, knowing that in doing so they are also fighting for the lifelong success of each and every student the bill would affect. With U.S. international competitiveness at stake and already suffering badly in the academic arena, affordable and effective education for each and every child is a commitment that must be made.

Focused on middle-class families making less than $110,000 annually, the bill would help parents more readily afford tutoring for children ages 5-19, with college entrance exam preparation included. Expenses would be capped at $5,000 for educational and dependent care expenses combined. Previous legislation allows dependent care FSA dollars to be used only for care that is primarily custodial.

The wide age range inclusion and support for college-aspiring students are key features of the Affordable Tutoring for Our Children Act as supported by Club Z! and other tutoring services. While providing children with the proper help as early as possible in their academic careers is important, making sure children attend college is also increasingly vital to their personal success and the success of the nation. College graduates earn, on average, 96% more than those with only high school diplomas - a statistic parents, educators, and government agencies alike would do well to keep in mind.

To join Club Z! Tutoring and America's middle-class families in supporting this crucial bill, write to your local U.S. Senators and Representatives outlining the value and necessity of Affordable Tutoring for Our Children. To learn more about Club Z! Tutoring Services or opportunities to own a Club Z! franchise and support education in your area, please visit http://www.clubztutoring.com or contact Silvina Moschini at Silvina@Intuic.com, tel: (786) 629-7738.

SOURCE Club Z! Tutoring

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Medford tutoring program recognized for excellence

Posted: 21 May 2010 06:23 AM PDT

The Brooks School PTO recognized a group of Medford volunteers last week who spent the past year tutoring second-grade students in math.

"This continues to be a terrific collaboration with the school and the community, and the students are getting a wonderful opportunity," said Brooks School Principal Michael Simon.

As part of the program, a group of six tutors instructed second-graders both before and after school twice a week, with each tutor spending time with the same student on a one-on-one basis.

The program was an initiative of the Medford School Volunteers Subcommittee of the citizens group Advocating for Public Schools.

The program began last year, and was the brainchild of Medford resident Charlotte Swartz, who also served as a tutor in 2009. Swartz was previously a tutor in Cambridge and wanted to bring a similar program to Medford, choosing the Brooks because it was close to her home.

Swartz served as a coordinator of the program this year, focusing mostly on recruiting.

"This is a real team effort and it benefits so many, from the students who put in the hard work to the parents who are willing to get the kids here to the school early enough or pick them up after school," Swartz said. "It is the children who make the effort, the parents who make the effort and the tutors who make the effort."

This year's group of tutors, who worked with the Tufts Literacy Corps as part of its training, consisted of five adult volunteers and one Medford High School student. That student, junior Ariana Roche, said it was a wonderful experience participating in the program.

"I've always wanted to be a teacher so this was great experience for that," Roche said. "It was a great volunteer opportunity, and if you're going to volunteer your time with something it might as well be doing something you love."

Roche specifically praised her student, Paige Riccioli.

"She was great to be around," Roche said of Riccioli. "Right away, I knew she was adorable, but as I got to know her I realized what a great person she was also. She did so well with the program and tried so hard, which made it more rewarding."

Riccioli was equally pleased with Roche.

"I thought it was so great to spend time with her," Riccioli said. "I'd ask [Ariana] if we could do something and we did it. She made up games and we would play them. She really tried to make learning fun."

Riccioli's mother, Patty Herlihy, said she could see the effectiveness of the program right away.

"Paige always wanted to go to her sessions because of how enjoyable they were for her," Herlihy said. "Ariana was always on time and always made it fun, and I think she was a real role model beyond just being a great tutor. She set a terrific example."

Simon said the program will continue again in the fall and he'd like to see it expand.

"What it comes down to is that some of the kids just need a little bit of confidence, and I think this program gives them that," Simon said. "We hope it continues in the future."

— For more information or to become a tutor, contact Charlotte Swartz at 781-488-3615 or via e-mail at Charlotte7@verizon.net.

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KnowledgePoints gears up workshops, tutoring in Florham Park

Posted: 21 May 2010 04:14 AM PDT