Maryland Launches Tutoring Corps to Transform Middle School Math Education

Maryland's Tutoring Corps harnesses college students to boost math skills for middle schoolers, fostering educational success and inspiring future educators.

In Maryland, an ambitious initiative is underway to enhance math tutoring for middle school students.

Nearly 1,000 college and graduate students are stepping up to provide crucial support, with an eye on both improving academic achievement and sparking interest in educational careers among participants.

Collaboration and Engagement

Now in its first full academic year, the Maryland Tutoring Corps is collaborating with students from various universities, including Morgan State, Johns Hopkins, Towson, and the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).

These passionate tutors are making a tangible difference in the lives of middle schoolers in public schools across Wicomico and Baltimore City.

Matt Barrow, the director of differentiated learning for Baltimore City Schools, acknowledged the challenges teachers face when dealing with large classrooms, especially when many students need extra help.

He expressed his delight in witnessing the immediate positive effects of the program, especially the joy students feel when engaging in math activities.

Take Shradha Gawad, a master’s student specializing in information systems.

She recently introduced her eighth-grade students to scientific notation in a captivating way, encouraging them to think about the huge distance from the Earth to the sun.

Gawad pointed out that a little encouragement can go a long way in igniting a lasting passion for math in young learners.

Building Relationships and Celebrating Successes

To build strong connections, tutors begin their sessions by checking in on their students’ well-being or even discussing weekend plans.

When they sense that a student is struggling or losing interest, they switch gears with some interactive math games to reignite engagement.

UMBC’s first-year cybersecurity student, Rahul Sodadasi, shared a heartwarming experience of helping a once-disinterested student rediscover his love for math.

He underscored the significance of celebrating “positive mistakes” as a way to deepen understanding and cultivate resilience in learners.

A Sustainable Future for Math Tutoring

Sustainability is a cornerstone of the Maryland Tutoring Corps.

By encouraging grantees to secure matching funds from local organizations and government sources, the initiative aims to continue thriving once pandemic relief provisions are exhausted.

Governor Wes Moore described this initiative as an educational revival, recently announcing a $28 million grant designed to boost math proficiency among underserved middle school students.

This effort becomes even more critical considering that about 75% of eighth graders in the U.S. are currently not meeting math proficiency standards.

The program has also been a boon for schools grappling with educator shortages.

It unites undergraduate and graduate students who provide tailored coaching to middle schoolers flagged for needing more support based on prior year assessments.

To support the growth of this tutoring model, the Department of Education has extended deadlines for schools to use federal pandemic relief funds, allowing for a wider array of support services.

The Maryland Tutoring Corps embraces established best practices in tutoring, focusing on the creation of small, intimate tutoring groups.

The initiative ensures that tutors are fairly compensated and prioritizes support for underserved student demographics.

This targeted approach aims not only to foster a positive outlook on math but also to fortify school connections and lay a foundation for success in STEM fields.

While the results from the fall semester are still pending, previous studies have shown that students involved in similar tutoring programs can gain the equivalent of three to fifteen months of learning.

Evaluations at UMBC revealed that 85% of participating students reported increased confidence in their math abilities.

The Maryland initiative has revitalized UMBC’s Reach Together Tutoring program, significantly scaling up from serving 355 students in four schools three years ago to nearly 700 students across ten locations today.

As the program grows, it is working to overcome logistical challenges, such as arranging necessary transportation for tutors, reflecting a commitment to enhancing educational access and improving outcomes for all students.

In essence, the Maryland Tutoring Corps represents a focused effort to bolster math education in middle schools, ensuring that every student has the chance to excel and thrive academically.

Source: The74million