Heart Math Tutoring (Heart) – a nonprofit group dedicated to helping students in high-poverty concentration schools develop math skills and academic confidence – has wrapped up the 2015/16 school year by helping nearly 400 students fill critical gaps in math.
Through its annual end-of-school-year assessments and surveys, Heart determines the impact its volunteer tutor-based program had on the 400 students in the eight schools it served during the school year. Assessment highlights include: student growth in math; student growth in confidence/enthusiasm; and satisfaction among volunteers, teachers and schools.
In the 2015/16 school year, 99 percent of Heart students met program growth goals in math, growing in two or more building block concept areas. On average, students doubled the goal – growing in 4.6 concept areas. The goals were set with guidance from math specialists at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and UNC Charlotte. Heart students began the year with 28 percent of foundational skills needed, based on grade level standards. By the end of the year, they grew to now have 59 percent of the skills they need, cutting the gap in half.
“We are proud of our students and know that their tutors left them in a better place than they began, ultimately bringing long-term benefits,” says Emily Elliott, executive director of Heart. “The skills Heart measures are proven to be critical building blocks for success in math, supporting students as they enter higher levels of math, meet graduation requirements, and access career and post-secondary options.”
In addition, more than 90 percent of teachers observed conceptual growth in math and believe Heart had an impact on class work and tests; 96 percent of teachers believe that students showed an increase in confidence and enthusiasm for math as a result of the program; and 74 percent said students became more confident and enthusiastic in subjects other than math as a result of the program.
Since 2013/14, Heart has grown from serving 105 students in two schools to now serving more than 400 students across eight school sites. Heart’s 450 volunteers collectively gave 8,179 hours of targeted, one-on-one instruction to students in need during the 2015/16 school year.
Adds Elliott, “Student outcomes are up from the prior year, even as the program doubled in size. I think this highlights what a powerful resource volunteers can be for schools when given tools and structure. We feel fortunate for and honored by each community member who chose to spend one hour per week helping students through Heart this year.”
Heart provides a structured curriculum and an on-site staff person to support volunteer tutors. The program is currently recruiting volunteers for the 2016/17 school year. Information can be found at www.hearttutoring.org/become-a-volunteer.
Through its Spring Funding Initiative, Heart is also working to raise $750,000 by June 30 to expand its service and to support 750 students and 860 volunteer tutors across 15 schools in 2016/17. To date, $613,000 has been raised from grants, corporation donations, and community support. To make a donation to Heart’s 2016 Spring Funding Initiative, contact executive director Emily Elliott, eelliott@hearttutoring.org or 980-292-2297. No amount is too small. Heart accepts individual donations and sponsorships from corporations and foundations.
Heart Math Tutoring
Heart Math Tutoring is a Charlotte-based nonprofit with a mission to ensure that all elementary students develop the strong foundation in math and enthusiasm for academics needed for long-term success, by helping schools use volunteers as tutors. Community members commit one hour per week to deliver an effective, hands-on curriculum through one-on-one tutoring sessions during the school day in Title I elementary schools. For more information, visit http://hearttutoring.org.
