“New tutoring business sends kids to the dogs” plus 3 more

New tutoring business sends kids to the dogs
Tutoring services provide relief for students
Students get free tutoring
Summer tutoring program in Lake Wales still has space

New tutoring business sends kids to the dogs

Posted: 12 Jun 2010 02:11 AM PDT

Kimberly Brown

Lauren Carpenter, Community News

Another Shenendehowa graduate is willing to bet on her home town as she starts up a new business. Kimberly Brown is making the daily extended commute from her home on Lake George for Saratoga Tutoring Services as a private tutor whose background is abundant in experience and certifications.

Brown's bachelors and masters are both from the College of St. Rose and her certifications include Special Education K-6, Elementary Education K-6 and English 7-12. She has 17 years teaching experience most recently as a fourth grade special ed teacher at Whitehall Elementary School near her home.

"As a tutor my business will be focused within my expertise," Browns says. This includes reading assessments and tutoring for reading and writing K-12 and building skills in reading and writing for those with disabilities. Brown also emphasizes study prep skills for students who have not passed the required ELA or Regents exams. She plans on coaching them on skills utilizing past tests as practice tools.

The most unique concept Brown is bringing to the table is her two-year-old golden doodle Amber Lee. Trained in the national READ (Reading Education Assistant Dogs) Program, Amber Lee is ready and willing to motivate children for learning while increasing self-esteem or eliminating shyness as she has successfully done while at Whitehall Elementary School.

Started in Utah, Brown says the READ Program has boosted that state's reading levels to the highest in the country. "With a therapy dog statistics show that blood pressure is lowered, no one can talk back — it's just a really great program. Amber Lee just lights up their day," Brown said.

Taking Amber Lee from the classroom to private tutoring sessions is new for both Brown and her pooch. Brown will continue to use Amber Lee as a reading partner kids will read to making it more fun for them as they learn. "And kids kids stay more on task," she says.

Brown has an office on Clifton Country Road. While many tutors meet with students at home or a library, Brown insists there are too many distractions at those venues. "For me to tutor, it's most beneficial to have my own space," she said. Many parents will agree with Brown that a quiet professional setting with a lovable dog will most definitely have its perks. Whether it is preparing for a new school year or mastering a difficult subject, Saratoga Tutoring Services is open for business and welcoming new students.

"With Amber Lee the sky is the limit," Brown says.

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Tutoring services provide relief for students

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:49 PM PDT

ORMOND BEACH -- Renae Cowdell remembers how her son Colin struggled his first year in school to stay focused in class and complete his at-home assignments.

"I thought 'This is first grade. This should be fun for him,' " the Ormond Beach resident said.

School tests showed Colin met the criteria for a gifted class. Because of that, Cowdell said, it didn't make sense to her that he was having problems.

Cowdell's concern prompted her to contact LearningRx, a supplemental educational training program with offices here and in Port Orange. "I had gotten a flier at school and put it aside," she said.

LearningRx is one of a number of area companies that parents can turn to for help when their child is having learning problems in school. Most of the companies employ retired educators looking to work part time. Some staffers also are teachers looking to supplement their income.

"We are not a tutoring center," said Stephen Lampkin, co-owner of the LearningRx franchise, a former school board member from a district in upstate New York. His business partner is Tommy Stricklin.

The Colorado Springs, Colo.-based company's literature states it helps students of all ages improve cognitive training skills. Trainers use intensive, one-on-one, game-like exercises to enhance weak skills, such as attention, memory and problem-solving.

"Our students love coming to LearningRx because our exercises are gamelike and fun and nothing like tutoring or school work," said Tanya Mitchell, corporate vice president for research and development.

Cowdell said she has seen a remarkable change in her son, who is now in the second grade. He is more focused, able to complete his homework and has more self-confidence.

"It was worth every penny. There was no insurance paying for it, but I felt like we had nothing to lose," she said.

The cost of the service starts at $499 for an online program.

In addition to students who are struggling, the company also helps those looking for an edge in class. Spruce Creek High School student Michael Grabner, 17, hopes the visualization exercises he engages in during his sessions will increase his logic and reasoning skills. The two could make a difference in where he goes to college.

Besides individual consumers, many firms that provide tutoring and supplemental educational services also work with public school systems. In most cases, the funds come from money to meet mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Peggy Hildebrand, of Volusia County schools, said 98 firms have applied to be providers for the next school year.

"A number of those will eventually fall off for various reasons," Hildebrand said, noting there were 50 competitors at the start of the last school year, and that number dwindled to 30 by the time classes started.

There are about 8,000 students eligible for the services, but limited funds mean that only about 1,793 students will get help. "This program is grossly underfunded," she said, adding the budget allows for up to $1,543 per student.

Five firms took the lion's share of the funds last year and served about 58 percent of the children identified by school officials. The five were ACES Tutoring (18 percent), A+ Tutor U (11 percent), Sylvan Learning Center (10 percent), Smart Start Tutoring (10 percent) and ATL, which stands for Advance Tutoring and Learning (8 percent).

She said LearningRx worked with fewer than 1 percent of the students.

Sylvan, another franchised operation, also has several offices in Volusia County. The franchisee could not be reached for comment.

Jo Baker, owner of the Sylvan franchise in Flagler County, said her firm contracts with the county's school system to provide services for students.

"State funding provides only for a finite number of students," Baker said, adding most of her work with public school students takes place in the months leading up to state mandated standardized tests. She has also worked with students referred to her agency by child protective services.

Most of her clientele, however, are private customers, ranging in age from 4 1/2 to adults.

"We get our kids from everywhere. We may start with one sibling and then another comes," Baker said. The costs of services at Sylvan range from $37 to $48 an hour.

Besides tutoring, Sylvan also provides remediation and enrichment programs.

Business is slow, she said. "We are feeling the heat just like the rest of Palm Coast."

She remains optimistic that business will return to its former levels. She also noted parents interested in the services but who don't have the money on hand can apply for student loans.

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Students get free tutoring

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 08:00 PM PDT

By Laura Fenton (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Friday, June 11, 2010

When Chasidy Young attended the Alabama High School Graduation Exam tutoring sessions last summer, it was her final try to improve her reading and language scores.

After attending the free sessions offered by Selma High School and the Selma City School system, Young passed all her tests.

Selma High School again will hold free tutoring sessions this summer to prepare students for the Alabama High School Graduation Exam on July 12-16.

Students can receive individual or group tutoring in the five components: biology/science, mathematics, reading, language and social studies. Sessions will be held at Selma High School until July 9, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until noon.

"I would recommend it," said Chasidy Young, Selma High School class of 2010 graduate. "They break it down for you so you can understand. It was very helpful."

Young attended summer tutoring sessions last year, focusing on reading and language skills.

She used provided workbooks, online study resources and met for group sessions. Students in sessions also worked to help each other with questions, Young said.

"We're trying to get the students to come in the summer and take it now," said Mamie Solomon, testing and guidance coordinator.

Every student must pass all subjects to receive a diploma. They are eligible to begin testing in the spring of 10th grade, and are given six opportunities before graduation. Each section is administered on a different day within one week. Sections can be taken in the same week or in a longer span of time.

Administered times are in July, Sept., Dec. and March. Tests can be taken over as many times as a student needs to pass.

"If they exit school before passing it, they can take it any of the four times each year that it is offered," said Gloria Turner, director of assessment and accountability with the state Department of Education.

Passing scores are: reading 563, language 560, mathematics 477, science 491 and social students 509. Tests are comprised of 84 to 100 multiple-choice questions.

Questions are formatted to test the knowledge and skills of an 11th grade student.

The upcoming testing schedule looks like this: July 12, biology/science; July 13, mathematics; July 14, reading; July 15, language; and July 16, social studies. Exams will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. at Selma High School each day.

Exams are part of the Education Accountability Law, passed in 1995, designed to raise the standards and performance of students.

The first tests were given in 1983, but not required until the class of 2001, and then had to pass only the reading and language portions. Students in the class of 2002 had to pass reading, language, math and science. The social studies component was added starting the class of 2006.

For more information about free tutoring sessions, contact Mamie Solomon at 874-1614.

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