PROGRAM BENEFITS BOTH TUTORS AND THEIR PUPILS

A short-term tutorial program at Blanchard Elementary School benefits elementary students and their high school tutors.

About 24 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders are currently participating in the Becoming Excellent Students Together, or BEST, tutoring program each afternoon at Blanchard. First-, second- and third-graders recently completed a four-week session.

Teachers recommend students for the program who need help to grasp academic skills. Students also may join the program at a parent's request.

The program, sponsored by Caring Communities, is in its sixth year. Caring Communities site coordinator Kay Azuma said the organization pays tutors and provides transportation for participating students.

"It's been very successful in the past," said Azuma of the BEST program.

"The tutors set objectives for each student, and they are tested before and after the program to record their progress." The program is usually held in the fall and in the spring to meet the needs of a broad number of students, Azuma said. The fall session was not held this year because of uncertainty regarding the opening of Blanchard school.

BEST coordinator Becky Hicks said the program is successful because it pairs elementary students with high school students who have received training to manage academic resources and behavioral issues. Students are divided into small groups so they are able to work with the same tutor daily and receive individual attention on homework and skill development.

"They really integrate with what's going on in the classroom very well," said Hicks. "They get very specific training and we do it before every (four-week) session, even for those who have tutored for us before." The tutors gain self-esteem and build communication skills by participating in the program. Hicks said she often writes scholarship and college recommendations for tutors preparing for college. In addition to their roles as tutors, the high school students also serve as role models for the students.

"I tell them the kids may see them at the mall or outside of school, so their role is to be a mentor and a model for the kids," Hicks said. "It's kind of neat how it serves the high school students that are helping as well as the elementary students who need the assistance." Amy Dewrock, 16, and Jessica Layman, 16, are new tutors to the program. Both enjoy working with children and joined the program to gain experience.

Layman, who plans to be a teacher, said the experience is invaluable for everyone involved.

"You feel like you're really gaining something from working with the kids," she said. "I think it's a neat experience because we're close enough in age to them that they can relate to us, and that makes it more fun for them." Hicks said the short-term nature of the program allows tutors to get the maximum benefit from their time with the students.

"It's not too long that they lose interest, but it is enough time to really work with them on specific skills," she said. "I've had several teachers say they've seen improvement in students, and the tests before and afterwards allow us to get good feedback." Most students show improvement in academic skills, but those who need additional help are referred to private tutors, often students at Southeast Missouri State University who formerly tutored for the BEST program.

For more information about BEST, contact principal Dr. Barbara Kohlfeld or Becky Hicks at 335-3933.