Future of free tutoring at MCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So why is the tutoring not continuing into the summer?

It was continued last summer and I am hoping it will be this summer. We used it last summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So why is the tutoring not continuing into the summer?

It was continued last summer and I am hoping it will be this summer. We used it last summer.

just got an email from the tutoring company that MCPS told them they weren't continuing it this summer. and next school year is TBD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

I would amend this to add any student with a 504 or an IEP. Special Ed departments and school counselors across the county should be counting their lucky stars for this program, and should be lobbying for it to continue even for students not 2+ years below grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

You’re welcome to that opinion, but I disagree with you. It’s a public school system and they are using federal covid funds to remediate learning loss. Students who “can pay” also experienced the pandemic and those who are taking the time to seek out tutoring should be eligible for this remediation aa it was intended for all students who need it. The funds needed to be spent/allocated within a certain timeframe. Using this tutoring isn’t taking away the opportunity for anyone else. Going forward, it will be available for students who present the greatest academic need. That is how this is all supposed to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

You’re welcome to that opinion, but I disagree with you. It’s a public school system and they are using federal covid funds to remediate learning loss. Students who “can pay” also experienced the pandemic and those who are taking the time to seek out tutoring should be eligible for this remediation aa it was intended for all students who need it. The funds needed to be spent/allocated within a certain timeframe. Using this tutoring isn’t taking away the opportunity for anyone else. Going forward, it will be available for students who present the greatest academic need. That is how this is all supposed to work.

What do you define as who can pay? Not all of us have high salaries and live in a million-dollar or more-a-year house. Some of us don't do things like vacations, fancy clothing, fancy cars but still are financially ok BUT tutoring is a luxury. All kids deserve to get it, not just the wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

I would amend this to add any student with a 504 or an IEP. Special Ed departments and school counselors across the county should be counting their lucky stars for this program, and should be lobbying for it to continue even for students not 2+ years below grade level.

We had an IEP. It was a joke and we dropped it. This is the only thing MCPS has done decent for our child to get them the support they need. It will suck to lose it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

+1.

It is not free. It is funded by tax dollars.

Why shut out those parents who pay taxes? They should get the benefit of their tax-funded tutoring service. When the budget is a zero-sum game, why cut out the students of any taxpayers, who are in need of the service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

+1.

It is not free. It is funded by tax dollars.

Why shut out those parents who pay taxes? They should get the benefit of their tax-funded tutoring service. When the budget is a zero-sum game, why cut out the students of any taxpayers, who are in need of the service.

It's free to families. MCPS wastes so much money on other things. The tutoring is a very small amount.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

You’re welcome to that opinion, but I disagree with you. It’s a public school system and they are using federal covid funds to remediate learning loss. Students who “can pay” also experienced the pandemic and those who are taking the time to seek out tutoring should be eligible for this remediation aa it was intended for all students who need it. The funds needed to be spent/allocated within a certain timeframe. Using this tutoring isn’t taking away the opportunity for anyone else. Going forward, it will be available for students who present the greatest academic need. That is how this is all supposed to work.

What do you define as who can pay? Not all of us have high salaries and live in a million-dollar or more-a-year house. Some of us don't do things like vacations, fancy clothing, fancy cars but still are financially ok BUT tutoring is a luxury. All kids deserve to get it, not just the wealthy.

That was my point. We agree.

Also agree it’s impossible to define who “can pay.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

+1.

It is not free. It is funded by tax dollars.

Why shut out those parents who pay taxes? They should get the benefit of their tax-funded tutoring service. When the budget is a zero-sum game, why cut out the students of any taxpayers, who are in need of the service.

+1

[Anonymous]

Our tutors have been amazing. Our tutors are qualified and experienced but more so the support from the company, the materials, and the communication has been impressive. I use to pay 85/hr for 1-1 tutoring with way less qualified tutors. We are hoping tutoring continues. My kids need it badly but they have seen large strides.

[Anonymous]

Our tutor is much better than our regular day teacher. Special education Credentialed and actually knows how to teach. The software the company uses makes it engaging for me 6 year old. We are happy and need to continue through the summer. Any idea on how we can advocate for the program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

I would amend this to add any student with a 504 or an IEP. Special Ed departments and school counselors across the county should be counting their lucky stars for this program, and should be lobbying for it to continue even for students not 2+ years below grade level.

I completely agree, Tutor Me Education offers better support than any IEP office has ever done for my child. It's been life-changing for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind free tutoring for kids who are income eligible but there is no reason to offer for parents who can pay.

+1.

Who decides who can pay?

Should a family making $125,000 a year pay $80 an hour for their child who has a 504 or IEP? That can be unaffordable especially when kids 2-3 hours a week.

I’m not sure who decides which kids deserve it?