The number of students proficient in math and reading across the state of Michigan is declining. Many districts have proficiency rates below 50%. Although Grand Haven ranks higher than average Michigan schools, many students cannot do math or read at grade level. Recent articles have discussed third and fourth grade test scores at Ferry School, GHAPS M-Step scores and GHAPS SAT scores. GHAPS leadership realizes a significant number of Grand Haven children are failing in math and reading, and they are turning largely toward virtual and computer-based resources in hopes of improving test scores.
I-Ready Personalized Instruction – $11,000 for forty students in 8th grade math at White Pines; a free pilot version for second, third, and fourth grades
Air Tutors – forty-five homeless students struggling academically – cost not to exceed $63,360
FEV Tutoring – offered to one-hundred students, fifteen signed-up – cost not to exceed $19,800
You may recall a recent article on I-Ready. I-Ready is committed to equitable experiences and supportive of the “woke” agenda. I-Ready is a testing tool used by GHAPS that also has an instructional component. GHAPS noted that there are a significant number of eighth grade students that are one or more years behind in math. In addition, GHAPS has identified forty kids at White Pines who are struggling in math. In an effort to boost the math abilities of these students, GHAPS has elected to purchase I-Ready’s personalized instruction, computer adaptive learning support, for these students at a cost of approximately $11,000. These students can use their “Connections Time” and log into I-Ready to get extra help in math. Students in second, third and fourth grades will also receive a free pilot version of I-Ready’s personalized instruction from March-June 2023.
In addition to purchasing I-Ready math licenses for eighth graders, and for forty struggling students at White Pines, GHAPS purchased virtual tutoring through two different organizations. Forty-five academically struggling GHAPS students spread out across grades K-12, having qualified for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, received virtual tutoring through Air Tutors. The students log on at a specific time two-days per week to get tutoring in math and ELA. There is one tutor for every five students, and students receive tutoring during non-core instructional time such as recess, academy, lunchtime, or connections. According to the GHAPS curriculum director, they know virtual tutoring works because Air Tutors created their own glowing white paper and Governor Whitmer is funding this type of tutoring. The Air Tutors organization has connections to I-Ready and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. GHAPS original quote was a not to exceed quote for $63,360 for tutoring for 80 students for 18 weeks.
GHAPS also purchased virtual tutoring services through a second organization, FEV Tutoring. This virtual, after-school tutoring organization coordinates with I-Ready and has three students for every one tutor. The GHAPS quote for this service was $19,800 for 50 students. FEV Tutoring was offered to one hundred eighth grade students struggling academically. Fifteen families signed up.
Many students in Grand Haven are struggling academically and GHAPS is turning to the assistance of several different on-line resources to bridge the gap. We will have to pay attention to next year’s test scores to determine the effect of these efforts.