The Louisiana Department of Education is investing $5 million into the Steve Carter Tutoring program, which will result in more students receiving high-dosage tutoring. Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Jenna Chiasson, says the $5 million from the department of education is on top of the $5 million the state legislature appropriated for this school year.
“This is a great way to address individual student needs and catch them up in both literacy and math, where they might have some deficit areas,” Chiasson said.
Now in its third year, the Steve Carter Tutoring Program has experienced increased demand and has a waitlist of 8,000 students. Chiasson says the program offers digital vouchers to eligible families who have students in need of high-quality tutoring in literacy or math.
“Families are able, with this $1,500 digital voucher, to log into an online program and select an approved tutoring provider from our list,” Chaisson said.
Chiasson says Louisiana was one of the first states to leverage high-dosage tutoring statewide to help close pandemic learning gaps. She says the investment has been a key factor in Louisiana from 49th to 32nd on The Nation’s Report Card.
“We know that tutoring is helping students in Louisiana catch up and move ahead. We’re proud to be leading the way, really as a national model,” Chiasson said.
The $5 million investment from the Department of Education is actually money that comes from the federal government. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley praises U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon for giving Louisiana the flexibility to use this money on the Steve Carter Tutoring Program.
