Getting kids involved after school is the ideal approach to keeping them off the streets, but tutors cannot reach kids who are not there to reach. Even if there is already a tutoring program in existence in the community, convincing students and their families to participate is difficult. Parents sometimes depend on their older children to care for their siblings. Even though after-school programs seem to be the solution, perhaps lunchtime tutoring groups, or morning or weekend programs, are a better start. Once students and parents see the benefits, after-school programs are a natural next step.
Remember that there is a local community that is willing to get involved but just may not know how. One problem that leads kids to skip out on tutoring is transportation. Perhaps the free school bus ride is the only feasible way home. This is an area where the corporate community can help. Businesses may not have individuals that can serve as mentors or tutors, but they do have funds, and if donations are the way area businesspeople want to participate, funnel that money toward public transportation for students. Hospitals and churches may have the space to hold a program. Small local businesses could collect supplies through their patrons to donate to the program.
Kids certainly need help with reading, math and other core subjects, but before hitting the books hard, train participating tutors in teaching team-building skills and peer mediation. These build self-confidence, and a self-confident learner is an eager one. It may seem premature, but early college awareness is a must for inner-city students. They need to have goals; they need to see what hard work accomplishes. Giving kids direction is the basis for success in education, especially for those who may be the first in their families to graduate high school.
If rather than beginning a project, a community or school is looking for an existing tutoring program, the U.S. Department of Education supports TRIO, a group of organizations focused on identifying and helping disadvantaged students. Through TRIO's Upward Bound, students are paired with tutors who are certified in their subject matter who additionally monitor grades, attendance and progress throughout high school. Student grants, early college awareness, job placement and educational support are also part of subsequent TRIO programs.