Grand Canyon Times

The Achievement Tutoring Program in Arizona, launched by Superintendent Tom Horne last year, will continue through the 2024-25 school year. This extension allows more students to benefit from the free program, which has shown positive academic results across the state.

Superintendent Horne stated, "Studies show tutoring to be the best method for academic growth. A year ago, I announced that we would repurpose about $40 million in COVID relief funds that had been allocated by the previous administration and were not being used for academic purposes, to create the Achievement Tutoring Program. The results have been excellent as students who get this tutoring have shown significant academic growth. Because we have received an extension that allows remaining funds to continue to be used, this program will continue through at least the end of the current school year."

The program offers reading, writing, and mathematics tutoring for K-12 students and has reached over 30,400 students through seven sessions since its inception. Enrollment began with a pilot session in November 2023 and has grown significantly from 4,200 to over 6,800 students per session. The latest session is open for enrollments until October.

Notably, 22 percent of participating students experienced at least half a year's worth of academic growth within six weeks. Despite federal rules restricting COVID relief (ESSER) fund usage through public schools now requiring access via private providers through the Department of Education.

Numerous parents have expressed their appreciation for the program's impact on their children's education. Colleen wrote expressing gratitude: “I am incredibly grateful for the services and support provided by the program. I am confident that all three of my children will have increased confidence and improved report cards in the fall.” Heather added her voice saying: “As a single mom raising six young men, I could never afford to get tutoring like this to help them get caught up and build the confidence they need to have in life.”

Jennifer commented on how it helped her child: “The Achievement Tutoring program has helped tremendously to fill in gaps in (my child’s) learning loss… He has improved immensely!” Alexandra noted improvements too: “My son has grown so much in reading… He finally has confidence in reading that he lacked for so long! I was so proud I actually cried.” Catherine shared her experience: “My daughter had been struggling but is now much more confident in her math skills… I truly hope the ATP program will continue as it’s changing lives and helping so many—especially some of us with limited financial resources.”

For further details about enrollment or other information regarding this initiative visit https://www.azed.gov/achievement-tutoring.