Improving student success in grades K-12 has long been a priority need in our community. The necessity for such efforts has become even more acute as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and data is confirming the learning loss of students. To address some of the negative side effects of online vs. traditional learning, many are turning to tutoring and mentoring, which have shown to be very effective at improving a student’s comprehension and success in school.
The IU Student Success Corps (IUSSC), a program of the Family, School, and Neighborhood Engagement unit in the Office of Community Engagement, is a free, statewide tutoring and mentoring program that has shown to have a significant impact on students. Surveys from IUSSC students have shown:
- 8% of students reported improved math skills
- 6% of students reported improved science skills
- 6% of students planned to go to college after high school
- 4% of students reported improved social studies skills
Over the years, IUSSC has evolved and expanded to serve more students. The current iterations of IUSSC are:
Evening Virtual Program
The evening virtual program has served thousands of grade 6-12 students since 2016. It provides tutoring statewide in the evening during the school year. Tutoring is available in math, English, science, and social studies. Parents or caregivers can register students and they will be paired with a tutor. Along with their caregivers, students enrolled in the program are also offered opportunities for workshops and mentoring.
In Person in Four Indiana Communities
Four Indiana University campuses provide in-person tutoring and mentoring programs for students in grades K-12 in partnership with area schools. The campuses are: IUPUI (Indianapolis), IU East (Richmond), IU Southeast (New Albany), and IU South Bend (South Bend). Tutoring is available in math, English, science, and social studies. To see if the program is available at your school, contact the campus contact.
Young Scholars
Young Scholars is a partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools to provide in-person tutoring and mentoring. The program is being piloted with K-2 grade students in two schools with the intent to add an additional four schools and grades 3-5 next academic year. The primary focus of the program is on literacy.
We’re Hiring!
To successfully execute these programs, it takes a lot of people who are passionate about working with students. We hire both IUPUI students and community members who are interested in providing tutoring and mentoring programs to students in grades K-12. Students can apply through Handshake (job #6806430) and community members can apply through Jobs @ IU for the in-person programs (job #302357) and Young Scholars (# 302501). Those hired in the Young Scholars program will receive training in the Orton-Gillingham approach to tutoring.
If you have further questions about IU Student Success Corps, feel free to email sscp@iupui.edu or call 317-278-2000.