Okay... here's an idea that's definitely worth thinking about. Let me know if you're interested... I just might start one out here in Tucson... say a cowboy theme.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wish_once_upon_a_school.html
Let me know.
11 comments:
I as struck by Mr. Eggers comment of if a student get 35-40 hours of 1:1 attention in tutoring and/or scholastic support the student will increase their grade by one letter. This is both shocking and truly clear on the level of education. Our children need that extra attention the 6-7 hours of schooling is just not enough. We need to engage the students more and provide longer hours of education. This doesn’t have to be state funded, it is also appropriate to ask and almost demand that the parents engage in the process of learning.
What an interesting idea to help out students and to get other involved. 826 Valencia tutoring center has a lot to offer. Students can receive that litte extra help they might need and receive individualized attention. Today, classes are so full that teachers do not have the time to provide one-on-one training. It is great to know others care about students to help them succeed.
I think it is great...are there not business like Sylvan learning Center or Tutor Time etc..., that do this type of tutoring for a nominal fee? I know most public libraries offer this kind of tutoring service for free but at the county's cost. If we can get members of our community to engage in this w/o monetary cost, then it would be truly a miracle. Now these days,you would have to be an angel sent from heaven to do this...Most parents I know, especially the area where I live at, are not willing to engage in their child's learning. Parents think it is up to the teacher or tutor to help their child be academically successful.
What a great concept. It's sad but true that the current 6-7 hours a day students receive in a classroom setting are ineffective. Students are not afforded the opportunity for one on one attention especially when the topic is hard for them to grasp. I also enjoy the fact that there is no social stigma associated with the kind of learning atmosphere that Mr. Eggers offers. In many situations you see parents disengage themselves from their child's education. This of course is due to a number of reasons some of which are due to the demands of work, cultural differences, a lack of understanding the task at hand, and, of course, language barriers. With the economy they way it charging fees for this type of service, no matter how small, can inhibit students of all ages from coming in and getting the help or creative outlet they need. Even a dollar a day could prove to be too much for some families--those that truly need and could benefit from this type of service.
I'd be interested in participating and volunteering my time towards such a worthwhile and socially meaningful opportunity.
Chanda
I am always fascinated by what is happening nowadays. You can find almost anything online. You can now get a Tutor online! Yes, if you or your children need help on reading, mathematics, history, and more; you can now get online assistance. There are many websites that offer tutoring services, but many of them charge fees. I think I would be leery about using a tutoring service online for my child. I guess I would have to try it and see.
Annette
I agree with Chanda. I believe more people than you think would be interested in this opportunity to help, especially when it comes to education. I am the advisor to two honoraries at UA and I know they would be more than happy to volunteer their time. IN a college town like Tucson, many more know the importance of education and the role it plays in children’s future.
Around the country the education industry is a billion dollar industry, collecting fees from affluent families who can afford hourly rates of $60, $90 or higher, or from government programs like No Child Left Behind.
Unfortunately many of these professional tutoring services do not reach kids in high poverty neighborhood, nor expand the network of adults beyond poverty who are helping kids build aspirations and careers.
Thus, it's a pleasure to recognize 826 Valencia tutoring center for their hard work and innovation. Imagine if Sylvan Learning Centers and other huge tutoring businesses were making directing mentor programs in high poverty neighborhoods of cities where they do business.
Hey Sean, great video and great idea that Mr. Eggers has come up with. Our students here in Arizona desperately need this kind of help. I also agree with some of these posts that, it is truly sad that 6-7 hours of schooling isnt enough, but what I think it is, it's the TYPE of schooling they are getting. A place like this tutoring center clears the environment of negativity, making it a fun place to be and all about the student. I agree with you that a cowboy theme store would be perfect for the Old Pueblo and a center much needed when our educational systems are suffering so much. I also agree that many people in the community would love to donate time, money, and efforts to help in this cause. A great cause and a much needed one. The cause that started all this, helping students with English needs, is an important one in our community, being that "About 150,000 of the state's estimated 1.2 million public-school students are in that category. (Az Daily Star 4-7-09)" But more than just language and cultural barriers, we face math, science, and communication skill deficiencies. So, lets start this center and make Tucson and our community a more educated place!!
It is easy to jump on the tutoring bandwagon, but little to no research invokes the mentoring process. This is what students are missing. The classroom instruction is lacking in terms of teaching, but the moral and behavioral support is lacking more. Parential involvement with children is getting less and less, so tutoring may be a way to bring up their grades, but what about personal growth and rentention?
!Que suave! I want to volunteer at "El Vaquero" in Tucson! I'm impressed with the mentoring model. Success feeds on itself as demonstrated by the student who is "addicted to finishing his homework early." The key elements to this project: *Neighborhood centered *Free to users *Pro-bono mentoring with whatever time you can give *Fun *Open minds *Open ears Listening and asking questions *Boundless compassion (open hearts)
What a great way to motivate students and inspire others. Dave Egger's made a statement about their goal to give 1 on 1 attention working with students 35-40 hours extra a year their grade level increases. 826 Valencia makes tutoring fun. The students are motivated and eager to attend the the center that it did not seem as though they were doing school related projects. What a great way to motivate and promote student success.
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