All ACPS Schools Now Covered by Alexandria Tutoring Consortium
Expanding by 30%, needs include volunteers and $40,000 for books.
Alexandria, VA – Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC) is expanding its highly successful reading tutoring program, Book Buddies, by 30% to cover all 14 public elementary schools in the city and 255 kindergarten, first, and second-grade students needing reading help. Nationwide studies consistently conclude that one-on-one tutoring is the best answer to recovering from post-pandemic learning loss. “ATC is here to help, gearing up to provide over 13,000 tutoring sessions in the 2023-2024 school year,” says Lisa Jacobs, Executive Director of ATC.
The coming expansion includes bringing Book Buddies tutoring to the two schools not yet served by ATC – Douglas MacArthur and George Mason – and adding second-grade programs at Cora Kelly, Ferdinand Day, and Jefferson-Houston. The Book Buddies tutoring program, a curriculum developed at the University of Virginia’s School of Education to teach struggling readers, was specifically designed for use by community volunteers trained to tutor students individually.
“We are thrilled that ATC is expanding. For early elementary literacy, first grade is where the magic happens. Book Buddies’ one-on-one tutoring makes a huge difference for our students who need that extra boost,” adds Dr. Carolyn Wooster, ACPS Elementary Literacy Instructional Specialist.
Tutors Needed
ATC also needs more volunteer tutors. Book Buddy volunteers work one-on-one with young readers at their elementary school during the school day. Tutors meet with students once or twice weekly for 30-40 minutes from October to May. ATC staff trains tutors on conducting a tutoring session and offers guidance and support throughout the school year. Sign up today at www.alexandriatutors.org
The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium is a nonprofit organization that recruits and trains volunteers to tutor K-2 students in reading. ATC works in partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools and the community at large to provide trained, dedicated tutors to every child who needs help learning to read.
Urgent Need for Books
ATC requires new books for this growth and ACPS’s shift to phonics-heavier instruction. The organization aims to raise $40,000 to purchase the books and supplies needed to accomplish these goals. Please consider donating today at www.alexandriatutors.org or by contacting Executive Director Lisa Jacobs at [email protected].
