Why so Many Tutors?
In discussing the rampant use of additional instruction outside the classroom with a former anonymous teacher, she said, “If you pick out any one math class, more than half of the kids have tutors on a regular basis.” Now privately tutoring 25 students, she believes this has become an unfortunate necessity, saying, “Someone is filling in the gaps with them. And that’s where I come in. I wouldn’t have a job if teachers were allowed to do theirs.” This is a very telling quote from this D Magazine article and unfortunately, very little has changed in the four years since it was written. Though educators are committed to providing the best education possible for their students, state and federal bureaucracy keep getting in their way.
Tutoring businesses are popping up throughout our district, promising to bridge the educational gaps being created by our public schools. An HP mother of an intelligent third-grade student recently shared with me that her daughter attends Mathnasuim three days a week in order to stay on track in math. Browsing through social media chat groups and "class pages" on Facebook, it is clearly evident that the need for tutors continues to increase. Hola HP is one of the latest to emerge and offers tutoring opportunities from Pre-K through College Prep. They get glowing reviews and their group classes fill up quickly.
"In an effort to better prepare students for the workforce, Common Core emphasizes critical thinking. English language arts standards require them to read complex informational texts and write short responses as opposed to answering just multiple-choice questions. Math lessons discourage the use of traditional memory tricks like Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally, instead focusing on the process of problem-solving. This often involves drawing dozens of dots and relying on diagrams -- foreign concepts to parents who learned completely different methods decades ago."~ Excerpt from the International Business Times, "Common Core Tutoring Companies See Business Boom Ahead Of Spring Tests As Parents, Students Struggle With Standards
To better understand why tutors are in high demand, I encourage you to read this article, in its entirety.
Closing Thoughts:
HPISD has always been a leader in academic excellence and I believe that our community would not knowingly support changes that would jeopardize this high standard.
Teachers are our greatest resource and an interactive teacher-student relationship exponentially propels our children’s learning potential.
Let's work together in support of our teachers so they can offer the best classroom experience possible for all our students. This will reduce the need for outside instruction and free up the time needed for our kids to simply be kids.
A vote for Meg Bakich is a vote to preserve district independence, educational traditions and academic excellence.
Early Voting:
4/24-4/28, 8 AM-4:30 PM
5/1-5/2, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
HP Administration Building, 7015 Westchester
Election Day:
5/6 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
Highland Park Middle School, 3555 Granada
Meg Bakich for HPISD School Board, Place 6
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, ideas or concerns.
Pol. adv. paid for by Bakich For HPSID Trustee
