The program has also received support from Saturn and the NEA Urban Grants program. The student tutors are recommended by their teachers and paid at the minimum wage rate. They have a lot of patience and empathy for the kids calling in. And they get right to the point. The students answer questions all across the curriculum, but math problems are the most common questions.
Most callers are fourth and fifth graders.
Older students, Hartge reports, tend to get together with their friends for homework help. The hotline is open to anyone, even private school students, who call in regularly for help from Hernando County's sharp, well-educated public school kids and their teachers. The hotline, Hartge believes, is spreading benefits all around. It's great for the callers and an equally positive experience for the kids answering the callers' questions. On top of all that, the hotline has meant some great public relations for the Association.