Pocomoke high school students tutor elementary pupils in two-year pilot; district reports gains in early reading
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Summary
A pilot pairing Pocomoke High School students and Salisbury University credit course with Pocomoke Elementary saw most tutored second- and third-graders meet grade-level or growth targets, district staff told the board.
WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. — A two-year tutoring partnership between Pocomoke High School, Pocomoke Elementary School and Salisbury University produced measurable reading gains for participating early elementary students, district staff told the Board of Education on July 14. The program — run as a credit-bearing Salisbury University course coordinated by Amanda Krantz and staffed by high school tutors — gave elementary students weekly small-group tutoring from September 24 through November 22 in the most recent cycle, according to presenters from Pocomoke Elementary and Pocomoke High School. Why it matters: Board members and administrators described the project as a dual-purpose model that both advances elementary literacy and provides hands-on teacher preparation for high school students, addressing local teacher pipeline concerns. What the district reported: Presenters said 25 students received tutoring delivered by 17 high-school tutors. In second grade, presenters reported that 10 of 13 tutored students ended the year reading at or above grade level after beginning the year below grade level; in third grade, 10 of 12 met annual typical growth targets and nine of 12 were reading on grade level by year end. Staff emphasized those figures refer to end-of-year results, and said they want to add closer-aligned pre/post assessments tied to the tutoring itself in future cycles. Attribution and reactions: Pocomoke Elementary staff praised Amanda Krantz and Salisbury University’s partnership. Superintendent Doctor Wallace and board members commended the program’s role in building local teacher candidates; Board member John Andes called the program “a great example of community schools,” and noted it helps address teacher shortages. Next steps: Staff said they plan to expand the program, strengthen tutor training and implement more targeted data tracking aligned to tutoring sessions. No formal board vote was required.
