Free online tutoring available to all middle, high schoolers in Washoe school district
RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — The Washoe County School District has launched a 24/7 online tutoring service that is available to all middle and school students free of charge.
The "Paper" service allows students to work individually with qualified tutors in all subjects and multiple languages.
WCSD has allocated some of the $77 million it's received in ESSER III grant funding from the American Rescue Plan to fund this service through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
Administrators and teachers at Swope Middle School, whose students have used "Paper" more than most other schools, said they've seen student improvement already in the month since it launched.
"They don't always just give the kid the answer and so the students are then having to experience what it means to share with someone else what (they) know, what questions (they) have and really try to pinpoint where they're struggling," said math teacher Michelle Drais.
It's another adult to teach it to the kids, to help them get to the answer they want.
Tutors can help in subjects such as English, math, science, history, journalism and languages. Tutors who speak Spanish, French and Mandarin are also available on the platform.
"This work includes writing assignment review, after-school programming, career and college support and other academic support tools at no cost to students. There are no advertisements and online content is fully vetted before it is offered to students," WCSD officials said.
Swope assistant principal Eian Gilbert said he believes the "Paper" service will help students struggling with learning loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's getting students access to the standards 24/7, getting them access to the knowledge and some of the foundations that they may have missed in the past during the pandemic," Gilbert said.
WATCH to see how students Dylan Daniels and Brenda Castellon are using the online tutors to help their education:
Email reporter Ben Margiott at bjmargiott@sbgtv.com. Follow @BenMargiott on Twitter and Ben Margiott KRNV on Facebook.
