Memphis nonprofit Literacy Mid-South is expanding a program that offers free in-school English and language arts tutoring for second to fourth graders. 

The Tutor901 program currently has 45 ELA tutors serving 18 schools in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district and seven charter schools in Shelby County. They’re aiming to reach 150 tutors by September.

Tutoring sessions are 45 minutes, three days per week for students who are “approaching proficiency” in ELA. The sessions operate under a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

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Literacy Mid-South works with each school to schedule tutoring sessions so they don’t interfere with core curriculum classes such as English, math and science. 

Students work with a consistent tutor who undergoes training from a support manager with literacy and tutoring experience. Former educators give tutors ongoing coaching and observation support.

Candace Freeman, tutor support manager for Tutor901, said Literacy Mid-South established the program to enhance third-grade literacy using money from the 2022 TN Accelerated Literacy and Learning Corps Community Partner grant. 

The Tennessee Department of Education announced the grant in 2022 to expand the state’s TN ALL Corps tutoring program to counter student learning losses following the COVID pandemic. 

2023 MSCS TCAP data released July 18 showed 24% of third graders met or exceeded proficiency, up half a percentage point from 2022.

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Freeman said extra time and focus are needed for many students struggling with ELA and reading comprehension, particularly concerning third-grade and elementary-level literacy.

“Kids get extra time with intensive tutoring going over the things they’re doing in class but getting it in a small group setting,” Freeman said. “If there are things they miss or if they have questions, someone is there who can answer those questions and give extra practice to make sure students really get those ELA skills that they need.”

Tutors could have the opportunity to work in a school familiar to them or that they attended previously. Such is the case for Roniece Gilkey, 51, who has been working as a tutor at Cherokee Elementary School since August 2022. 

Gilkey is a mother of four and has lived in the Cherokee neighborhood for more than 20 years. She said Cherokee Elementary was the right fit because she knew the community and was passionate about being involved.

“The biggest thing for me is to be a vessel, make a positive impact and be an example for these young people,” Gilkey said. “Honestly at Cherokee, it’s to be a representation of what they see; they may be in second grade but if they know ‘there is someone who looks like me and thinks I’m important, who wants to make a difference in my life?’ 

“At the end of the day they can take that home and say, ‘Ms. Gilkey taught this to me.’ It absolutely helps their confidence.”

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Gilkey said bridging the large gap in ELA proficiency may seem daunting for tutors but their efforts do make a difference. 

“You’ll see the fruit of your work; it may not be immediate, but you will see it,” Gilkey said. “We really need that and our kids also need to understand that we’re there for them.” 

Elisabeth F. Lee is the senior director of strategy and innovation for Literacy Mid-South. She said the biggest drive of the Tutor901 program is a desire to help families, noting the organization has hired a family engagement specialist this year.

“We’re thinking how we can go into these spaces thoughtfully, asset framed, listening before reacting, and offering what those parents want and feel that they need,” Lee said. “We’re looking at how to support schools with specifically families in mind because without families you don’t have a school.”

Lee said Tutor901 gives future educators or those considering the profession an opportunity to immerse themselves in a classroom setting.

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According to data compiled by Tutor901, more than 90% of families supported by the program last year said their child seemed more interested in reading since beginning tutoring. 

Freeman said programs like Tutor901 can help move the needle towards higher ELA proficiency and better TCAP scores for third graders. 

“We’re passionate about second and third-grade students reading on grade level and we believe that is an attainable goal,” Freeman said. “The more opportunities students get with the material and lessons, the more likely they are to retain that information and be able to carry it over to things like the TCAP test.”

Tutors are paid a minimum of $20 per hour and work nine to 18 hours per week. Teaching experience is not required; applicants must be 18 years old, have experience working with children and pass a background check. 

Those interested in applying can get more information and a link to the application via Literacy Mid-South’s website.