The goals for the Youth Tutoring Program are to improve academic skills, increase self-esteem, positively impact attitudes about learning and school, decrease interest in gangs and drugs and improve school attendance. Our effectiveness is evaluated by students, their parents, staff and volunteers at the end of the academic year. Students and parents are surveyed regarding improvements in grades, school attendance, attitudes toward school and learning, study skills and use of computers. These results are examined and utilized to design program improvements for the next academic year. See the YTP in 1999 for survey results.
Youth living in the public housing communities face many barriers to academic success.
Their parents often work long hours to support their families and do not have the time or energy to help with homework. Many parents haven t achieved the academic proficiency to be able to help and encourage their children with schoolwork. Commonly, they cannot afford academic tools that are taken for granted in middle income households, such as computers, Internet access and software. Many of their families are new to this country and English is their second language. Some families are also grappling with substance abuse and domestic violence.