Particular focus is directed toward parents' groups and PTSAs. There is a clearly defined body of content for tutor training. The syllabus contains instruction on writing activities, including the word bank, sound boxes and guided writing with sentence strips. Trainees are introduced to the concepts listed above and have ample opportunities to act out the roles of both the tutor and tutee. Currently, each tutor receives two hours of training prior to tutoring.
Tutors also receive ongoing, on-sight monitoring and instruction by project staff.
Because the DCPS resource is no longer available, the Collaborative utilizes the campus coordinators and Project Site Directors to provide training. The tutor trainer will also monitor tutors in the field and coach program coordinators to become more effective monitors of tutors. The trainer will provide ongoing training and tutor-performance critiques at school sites and offer regular training available to community tutors citywide. In addition, the trainer will create an assessment of tutor comprehension and an evaluation of tutor satisfaction. In addition, the partnership will monitor progress through training feedback forms, regular debriefing sessions with tutors and regular discussions with teachers, parents and principals.