Area Schools Issue Call For Tutors

As the new school year opens this week, area districts are seeking 500 additional community volunteers to help students in grades K-3 to improve their reading and comprehension. The tutors are part of the OASIS intergenerational tutoring program, which has helped 400,000 children in 23 cities and more than 900 schools across the country since 1989. In the St. Louis region, 23 school districts embrace the program.

By spending as little as 60 minutes a week reading and interacting one-on-one with struggling students, OASIS volunteers have achieved remarkable results. Teachers report that ninety-five percent of the students have showed improvement in reading and language arts.

Educators say that when students are struggling or overwhelmed by events outside the classroom, one-on-one tutoring session with a caring adult helps empower them. One hundred percent of the school principals report that OASIS tutors have added a positive element to their schools. Ninety-six percent of teachers report improved confidence and self-esteem in students who were tutored and 94% reported improved attitude toward language arts.

Volunteers receive 12 hours of initial training, along with regular update sessions to provide them with tips and ideas to stimulate children’s learning. Training sessions are scheduled across the region through September. To learn more or sign up for the training, go toasisnet.org/tutoringSTL