High-dosage tutoring to make up for COVID learning loss

[Anonymous]

DCPS talked a lot about using "High-dosage tutoring" and "Acceleration Academies" to make up for the learning loss from COVID closures last year. Does anyone have any info on whether these have actually been done in a widespread way, and if it has been actually successful in getting DCPS kids on track?

[Anonymous]

I remember my school leader talk about after school reading tutoring during a staff meeting in the fall. My understanding is that not enough staff members signed up, so it never went anywhere and parents weren't informed. Maybe that's what happened at your kids school?

The pay was really low for what was being asked of us.

[Anonymous]

Our school tried something but the kids didn’t show up after school and there was no consequence. So no it hasn’t been successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS talked a lot about using "High-dosage tutoring" and "Acceleration Academies" to make up for the learning loss from COVID closures last year. Does anyone have any info on whether these have actually been done in a widespread way, and if it has been actually successful in getting DCPS kids on track?

The reality is that DCPS is all talk and poor organization and implementation. The learning loss data, especially for the lower performing kids, is really bad. It’s actually worst than what they found because some kids did not participate who never do DL. Many of these kids will never catch up and be even further behind.

If you thought the achievement gap was bad before Covid, it’s going to be much, much worst now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS talked a lot about using "High-dosage tutoring" and "Acceleration Academies" to make up for the learning loss from COVID closures last year. Does anyone have any info on whether these have actually been done in a widespread way, and if it has been actually successful in getting DCPS kids on track?

The reality is that DCPS is all talk and poor organization and implementation. The learning loss data, especially for the lower performing kids, is really bad. It’s actually worst than what they found because some kids did not participate who never do DL. Many of these kids will never catch up and be even further behind.

If you thought the achievement gap was bad before Covid, it’s going to be much, much worst now.

Especially about 30% of teachers will be quitting and there are no replacements.

[Anonymous]

No one at my school signed up to teach it.

[Anonymous]

My school seems to have a very successful acceleration academy program that many kids attend. It’s Tues-Thurs afterschool. Some kids didn’t show up, so they extended eligibility to the next lowest performers. Parents seem happy.

[Anonymous]

We have a few teachers mostly in younger grades who signed up to do it. I’ve been asked a few times but for $40 an hour three days a week, I’d rather get home and spend time with my own kid.

[Anonymous]

I considered doing it at my school, but when I realized it would look more like an extended day, no 1:1 interventions (because there weren't enough teachers) and most of the time students would be on computers it wasn't worth the $40.

Another promising opportunity DCPS kicked to already overworked teachers and administrations just to say "we did it." Any data that DCPS spits out will be # of students served and completely meaningless.

[Anonymous]

I wish my school had this! My kid is so far behind and I’m tired of the movie and TV time in aftercare. C’mon already! They seem to be struggling with basics due to staffing issues, much less helping kids who need it in extra hours. I have found offsite support and paying a ton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I considered doing it at my school, but when I realized it would look more like an extended day, no 1:1 interventions (because there weren't enough teachers) and most of the time students would be on computers it wasn't worth the $40.

Another promising opportunity DCPS kicked to already overworked teachers and administrations just to say "we did it." Any data that DCPS spits out will be # of students served and completely meaningless.

DCPS spitting out numbers seems to be all they are good at. My DC was included in a summer program last year as we’re other families. Program was rolled out the Friday before July 4th w NO information if it was in person, digital etc. DCPS then reports how it helped all these children but mine never participated. They were in an academic camp. Any progress is tied to the camp but DCPS will say it’s this poorly run program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish my school had this! My kid is so far behind and I’m tired of the movie and TV time in aftercare. C’mon already! They seem to be struggling with basics due to staffing issues, much less helping kids who need it in extra hours. I have found offsite support and paying a ton.

If you kid is that far behind, DO NOT count on DCPS filling in the gap. Ask the teacher specifically where the gaps are and what you can do at home to support your child. The public school system is not going to close the gap, it just isn't.

[Anonymous]

I’m curious where the $40/hr is coming in. I thought that intensive tutoring was supposed to be one of the major components of the American Recovery Plan funding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious where the $40/hr is coming in. I thought that intensive tutoring was supposed to be one of the major components of the American Recovery Plan funding.

$40/hr (give or take a few dollars?) is the “admin premium” rate for DCPS teachers who do approved work beyond contract hours. So if a teacher does the after school tutoring programs that’s the rate they are paid. That’s set by DCPS but the funds probably come from the recovery plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious where the $40/hr is coming in. I thought that intensive tutoring was supposed to be one of the major components of the American Recovery Plan funding.

$40/hr (give or take a few dollars?) is the “admin premium” rate for DCPS teachers who do approved work beyond contract hours. So if a teacher does the after school tutoring programs that’s the rate they are paid. That’s set by DCPS but the funds probably come from the recovery plan.

Thank you for the explanation. I tried to read the summary of how DC planned to use the various relief funds and it wasn’t very clear how much was dedicated to intensive tutoring vs other priorities.