Group 5: Homework Help

& Tutoring

By: Jenny Pepiton, Lexie Cowgill, Seth

Perkins, Kirstin Mandalay, Steven Baglin

Homework Help & Tutoring

Programs throughout the country

Helping “At Risk” kids

After School Program

Familiarizes them with the tools the library has to offer

"Many of our regulars were failing or close to failing their classes. Now they have improved grades and selfesteem and are beginning college search process. At the start, they say they would not have even considered college as an option."— Bethel Park Public Library

Types of Programs

In person

Online

Mobile

“Explorer Bookmobile”

Role of staff/ volunteers

“Tutoring” vs. homework help

Qualifications of volunteers/ staff

Community partners

Recruiting Volunteers

Level of commitment

Matching skills

Screening

Management

Supervisor role

Promotion/ Marketing/ Outreach

Evaluation

Funding

Virtual vs. Onsite

Pros/ Cons

Outsourcing (Brainfuse)

Chat/ SMS (Mosio)

Physical Space/ Supplies

Working with your space

Set-up

Numbers

Using library materials

Crayons, pencils, erasers, oh my!

Hardware: Simple Necessities•Pencils/Pens

•Paper

•Rulers, protractors, etc…

Hardware: Technology

Computers

Desktop and/or Laptop

Photocopier

Printer

Scientific Calculators

Internet capabilities

Software: Applications

Microsoft suite or Macintosh OSX software

Word processing capabilities

PowerPoint/Keynote

Excel/Numbers

Photo editing

Google Earth

Educational activities/resources    -Discovery Education Homework Help Online

Collection Needs: Reference Materials Printed and Digital Sources

Thesaurus

Dictionary

Encyclopedia

Topic specific resources

Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science, etc...

Collection Needs: Research Resources

Online Public Catalog or Card Catalog

Online Search Engines

Online databases

EbscoHost, Gale, etc…

E-books

Compact Discs

DVD’s

Funding and Budgeting

•Federal Grants

•Library Services and Technology Act

•U.S. Department of Education “Promise Neighborhood”

•State Grants

•State (e.g. Maryland) Library Partnership and State Department of Education-Local Community Help/Donations: Willmar, MN.    -Money    -Materials-Budgeting: Carson City, NV     -Allocation of monetary assistance from other and often related budgets

Hayward Public Library

Homework Help Program

A Successful Case Study by Kirstin

Mandalay

Hayward, California

Median household income: $61,268

12.5% of the population live below poverty line.

Given to communities who have distressed

urban or rural neighborhoods to provide

“cradle to college to career” support.

Promise Neighborhoods

Grant

Hayward Public Library Homework Help Program

Begun in 2009

Lindsey Vien, MLIS, director of the program (L. Vien, personal interview, October 19, 2012).

Designed to meet the needs of students, K-12

How to do homework assignments

And more: research, reference help, developing communication skills needed for success.

At the Main branch and Weekes Branch:Monday-Wednesday 3:30-5:30pm

Thursday 3-5pm

Homework Help Program at the Hayward Public Library

Students:

Free program, drop in anytime

Fill out form: age, school, grade level, subject for tutoring

Assigned a tutor by site supervisor

Testing to track progress: 3rd and 10th visits

Tutors:Recruiting Tutors:

Extensive Advertising:

In library and on library website

Volunteer match website

Local colleges: education or service programs

Chiefly adult volunteers

Application Process:

Applicants fill out an application

In-person interview with director

Fingerprint and background check with Hayward Police Department

* Observe current tutors in action for training.* Goal: help students learn how to find the answers.* Consider the whole student’s needs: supplies, organization skills, actual level of learning (above or below assignment), etc.

Tutors:

Homework Help Supplies

Laptop computer Lab Essential Supplies:

Paper, Pens, Pencils, Binders, Folders.

Scientific and regular calculators.

Class calendar to keep track of assignments.

Reference Books.

Progress Report:

Number of non-duplicated students each

year at Central and Weekes Branch

Library Homework Help Centers:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 This Year to date0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Students

Students

Expansion Project: in school

Homework Help Center in

2011Longwood Elementary School

Future Plans

Chromebooks! Expansion:

Partnering with School Board to provide Homework Help Centers in the lowest performing schools.

Secrets to Success:Funding through grants.

Tracking student attendance, progress, and improvement to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness.

Partnering with the city for funding and reporting progress and data.

Partnering with the school district and reporting progress and data. Formulating expansion programs with the schools.

Librarian director with a passion for education and an understanding of what is needed to run a successful homework help program.

Case Study: Carson City

Public Library

Online Tutoring Program through Brainfuse

Program Background

Current BrainFuse Program Started in 2010 by Youth Services Librarian Amber Sady- Side-by-Side Comparison: BrainFuse vs. Tutor.com- Comparison Funded by Technology Grant

Survey of Users Preferred BrainFuse 55% to 45%

What is Brainfuse?

Live Tutoring Available: 1-10pm Daily–Via Internet from Anywhere using Library Card

- Physical Space at Library: 2 Dedicated Homework Computers

Services Offered–Live Tutoring in Math, Science, Reading/Writing, Social Studies, PSAT/SAT, ACT, and AP

–24 Hour Writing Lab

–24/7 Homework Question Center

–Skills Building

Tutors and Staffing

Tutors and StaffingTrained and Certified by BrainFuseBackground and Reference-CheckedMust Possess 4-year DegreeMust have Prior Teaching/Tutoring ExperienceAll Tutors US-BasedOnsite Library Staffing Need–Outreach–Marketing–Evaluation

Outreach and Marketing

Presentation Visits to Area Schools: KEY TO SUCCESS!

Press Releases

Marketing on Youth and Teen Websites

Program Ongoing Evaluation

Monthly Statistics Reports from BrainFuse–Number of Users

–Subjects Requested

–Post-session Survey Results Including Patron Comments if Given

Funding Source

Program Funded through Book Budget

Grants Supplement Book Budget    -Audio-Video Materials    -Playaways

Allows Portion of Book Budget to Support Program

Keys to Successful Homework/Tutoring Programs

Continuous Outreach and Partnering with Area Schools

Adequate Funding through Grants and/or Donations

Continuous Evaluation of Effectiveness

Passionate Staff and Volunteer Support

References

A closer look at homework help at public libraries reveals success and great potential. (2007). Pennsylvania Library Association Bulletin, 62(7), 18-19.

Cofer, S., Dwyer, J., Harold, S., Pechacek, A., Peterson, K., & Ryan, S. (2007). Homework Help Is a Click Away. Young Adult Library Services, 5(2), 17-20.

Johnson County Library Offers Homework Assistance. (2006). Public Libraries, 45(2), 17.

Vanderwerf, L. (2011, Feb 18). Library program offers students homework assistance. McClatchy - Tribune Business News.

Wagoner, M. T. (2005). Help Online. Texas Library Journal, 81(4), 136-139.

Rogers, M. (2002). Md pl's live homework help. Library Journal,127(16), 30.

Staff. (2005). Part of the solution. Library Journal, 13029.