Tailgate Tutoring
Benefits of Holding After - School Tutoring in Conjunction with “Home” Sports Events
Needs Assessment
I began to wonder about this research project when I became aware of and hoped to find a solution for two different issues on my campus. One issue involved an overwhelming amount of zeroes which were negatively affecting class grades and causing gaps in content knowledge. The other issue involved discipline and safety issues stemming from students hanging around campus waiting for games to begin. The majority of our campus is economically disadvantaged, and because we are rural, most ride a bus. This means they cannot come early or stay late for tutoring purposes. However, on game days they do stay and are picked up after the games by parents.
Objectives and Vision
The purpose of the plan is to take advantage of the time the students do stay on campus after school by providing supervision and help with assignments. During the tutoring time, students will get to eat snacks and will have access to supplies they may not have at home. One goal is to see a reduction in complaints from coaches and discipline referrals for students getting into mischief either at the stadium or on campus grounds while waiting for the games. Another goal is to see a reduction in zeroes for classwork. Hopefully, by completing all assignments, students will fill gaps in content which may raise testing scores in areas we fall short – math, science, and reading.
Review of Literature and Action Research Strategy
Because we are a Title I school and most of our kids are considered children of poverty, much of my investigation centered around that. By affording them a safe, supervised place (at least one day a week) to eat and get help, the hope is that it might be just enough to keep them caught up in their work and engaged in the tutoring. Many of them do have to go home and watch younger siblings and this might be the one time they can focus on something for them. Providing “game day” snacks and a free pass to attend the game after tutoring might be enough of an incentive to get them to attend, and if they begin feeling more successful, they will be self-motivated. The fact they are attending will also cut down on the opportunities that led some to get into trouble while just roaming freely around the campus or stadium areas. I originally had three ideas, but after talking to my principal, decided on this project since it was the one she was the most interested in as well. We did consider how we would communicate it, how we would handle students that wanted to come hang out but not work, and what we might do if it is successful after the sporting seasons are over.
Articulate the Vision
I first discussed my idea with a small group of colleagues, all of whom liked the idea. I thought that by doing that before I talked with a larger group, I would have a core group that could help me answer questions or address concerns that the other teachers might have. When school started, I mentioned to students and parents that the tutoring program would start when our football and volleyball seasons began and handed out an information page at “Meet the Teacher” night. I wanted to gauge attendance at the first session and then possibly have the information also put on our campus website.
Manage the Organization
I have only had one session so far. I handle the tutoring myself for now, but I have had colleagues tell me they will be happy to help if numbers get large or if I have other responsibilities that conflict on these game days. There is no money spent on the program except mine which goes for snacks for the kids while they are working. I use my class materials if they should need them – from paper to calculators to map colors or markers if needed for a project. I did require that they show up by 3:35 since school is out at 3:30. Part of the reason for this plan is to prevent them from just roaming around, so I gave them five minutes to get to their locker and then into class. This way, we maximize the time we have, and I know they are safe in the room ready to work.
Manage Operations
The tasks we had to do during the action research class, including the timeline and the CARE model, helped me get the plan rolling. Since I am early into my implementation, I have not collected much data and it remains to be seen how the kids will respond. As far as my colleagues go, I have not had any conflicts as everyone seems to agree with the premise of the program, but something could arise as we go forward.
Respond to Community Interest and Needs
Recognition of some of our challenges (language barriers, economic, cultural) is exactly what led me to this plan. Instead of continuing to complain about how it was impossible to get kids caught up who missed school or just didn’t do their work because they are bus riders and can’t get to school early or stay after, I decided to use the one day I knew they were staying around school and look for a way to get them in to work instead of just roaming around.
