In the spring of 2022, Illinois education agencies launched the Illinois Tutoring Initiative in response to the learning disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. When schools turned to remote learning, it caused many students to fall behind academically and socially. The initiative thoroughly trains tutors to help students across the state in both areas.
The Illinois Tutoring Initiative seeks to build confident learners through high-impact learning. This form of tutoring focuses on relationship-based tutoring, which allows tutors to interact with students one-on-one or in small groups and meet the individual needs of their students. High-impact tutoring gives students a trusted adult to work and build friendships with, allowing tutors to build a connection beyond academics.
By exercising relationship-based tutoring with their student(s), tutors can help them to fall back in love with learning in a low-pressure environment. High-impact tutoring not only impacts students’ learning but their feelings about themselves and school and their overall confidence. “The kids want to meet with their tutors,” said Chardon Hill-Hamilton, site coordinator at DeKalb’s Lincoln Elementary School. “I have kids coming up to me all the time asking when it’s their turn to be matched with a tutor … it’s a very positive experience in every aspect.”
“We fill in on those base skills and work on building confidence which can sometimes keep a student from taking risks,” said Illinois Tutoring Initiative Director Dr. Christy Borders. “When you have a long, ongoing relationship you can really get a little deeper on that hierarchy of need … we fully expect there to be an academic impact.”
Borders shared one of her favorite success stories so far about a third-grade boy whose father is deployed, and whose mother is occupied with a new baby. Wanting to make sure her son is doing well in school while she is taking care of a new baby, the mother requested that her son receive tutoring. The school’s custodian chose to be trained as a tutor for his district and was assigned to this child. Over the course of a few sessions, the boy and his tutor became best friends. The boy waits at the door in anticipation of his favorite part of the day.
“He said to me, ‘Ma’am, you’re going to have to be patient with me. I’m not a teacher, and I struggle with technology, but I love that boy.’ and that’s what we’re here for!” said Borders. “It’s incredible—that little boy’s life has completely changed because he’s being tutored by somebody who truly, truly cares about him.”
To learn more information about the Illinois Tutoring Initiative, visit www.illinoistutoringinitiative.org.
