$1.5 million grant sends CSUS tutors to North Sacramento

Intent on improving academic performance and getting children on a path to college, California State University, Sacramento and North Sacramento School District have started a tutoring program at each of the district's schools. It is run by 80 CSUS students.

The new program, a part of AmeriCorps, builds upon a long relationship between CSUS teacher education programs and the district. It is funded through a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the Governor's Office and the state Department of Education.

CSUS students, many of whom plan to be teachers, will complete intense classes on remedial reading. They will then work 12 hours a week providing reading tutoring this fall and math tutoring in the spring. They will also help with homework and lead enrichment programs in art, drama and physical education.

North Sacramento schools have a large number of students from underprivileged backgrounds, and many students for whom English is a second language. In standards testing, the district is well below average.
"There should definitely be some very strong results from this effort," says Noreen Kellough, a CSUS professor of teacher education who directs the program. "Our goal is clear: Help these kids raise their academic performance."

Others involved with the program are CSUS teacher education professors Pamela O'Kane and Jennifer Rodden. CSUS child development professor Karen Horobin and Kellough wrote the grant.

CSUS student tutors are currently being sought for the program. As a part of AmeriCorps, the students will be paid a cost of living allowance of $10 an hour and receive an educational grant of nearly $1,200 upon completing 450 hours.