Grand Canyon Times

State schools chief Tom Horne reports that the initial results from the Achievement Tutoring Program indicate academic progress among participating students. The program, initiated in late 2023 with federal funds aimed at addressing COVID-19-related learning loss, has seen 17,324 student registrations over three six-week sessions this year.

Horne stated, “So far, more than 20 percent of those students tested have seen academic gains representing half a school year of learning within six weeks of tutoring. This helps these students to be better prepared for success at the next grade level. Other students have seen smaller gains, and some have exceeded a half-year’s progress, but every increase in the proficiency rate is important.”

He further encouraged parents to utilize the program: “I urge parents of public-school children to take advantage of this opportunity. It is available at participating schools or through private tutoring services at no cost to the parents. A child who is struggling in reading or math deserves this chance to be more successful in the classroom and children already doing well can do even better.”

Feedback from participants includes a parent who noted her first-grade son became "the fastest reader in his class" after receiving tutoring and described the program as "revolutionary... very, very powerful and successful." A tutor mentioned that her student faced "just the right amount of challenge," adding that his confidence has visibly grown. Another parent expressed gratitude for the program's impact on their oldest child’s math performance, improving from 23% to 82%.

For more information about the Achievement Tutoring Program: azed.gov/achievement-tutoring