Overview
In 2022, an alarming 84% of third graders in New Haven were identified as reading below their grade level, and an even higher 88% fell short in mathematics. These figures not only highlight the persistent educational challenges faced by our youth but also underscore the exacerbating impact of the pandemic on their learning journey.
Furthermore, we are acutely aware of the unequal access to academic enrichment and support outside of regular school hours, especially during summer and after-school periods. This disparity is most pronounced among students who require additional assistance to keep pace with their peers. Addressing these educational inequalities necessitates a concerted effort encompassing schools, communities, and families.
In response, we are proud to introduce the New Haven Tutoring Initiative. This groundbreaking collaboration, involving the City of New Haven, New Haven Public Schools, and a network of youth-focused organizations, represents our united front to confront these educational challenges. Our mission is straightforward yet ambitious: to boost literacy and numeracy among our students. By providing coordinated, engaging learning experiences during summer breaks and after-school hours, we aim to not only enhance essential academic skills but also to ignite a passion for reading and mathematics. These initiatives promise to enrich students' at-home resources through the distribution of math kits and books to build home libraries and foster intellectual curiosity and a depp love for learning.
The efforts of New Haven Reads and all literacy partners are in synergy with the New Haven Public Schools' adoption of the innovative early literacy curriculum based on the Science of Reading. This cutting-edge approach is set for district-wide implementation in the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a significant stride in our commitment to educational excellence.
The efforts of New Haven Counts and all math partners are in synergy with the New Haven Public Schools' adoption of the Common Core and i-Ready curriculum in grades K-8. This strategic alignment ensures that our tutoring and enrichment programs not only complement but also enhance the formal education system. By integrating our resources and expertise with the structured, research-based approach of the Common Core and i-Ready, we can provide a more holistic and effective learning experience for students. This collaborative approach also allows for a seamless educational journey, where classroom learning is reinforced and expanded upon through our tailored tutoring sessions. It's a cohesive effort aimed at bridging gaps, accelerating learning, and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of mathematics among students.
Focus Areas
The Tutoring Initiative launched a pilot program in the summer of 2023, and there was an official launch for the academic school year in the fall of 2023. The Tutoring Initiative will have three strategic focus areas:
After-School & Summer Programming: Implement high-quality literacy and math enrichment and tutoring, based on scientifically proven instruction methods, through after-school and summer programs.
Community Engagement: Build a culture of commitment to literacy and math across our city through broad community engagement and a powerful communication initiative. Use these tools to recruit volunteers and facilitate literacy and math-focused events engaging civic organizations, academic institutions, libraries, the business community, older students, seniors, faith institutions, arts organizations, and other partners.
Parents & Families: Supply parents with information, training, and materials to support them in providing literacy and math activities for their children at home. This will be inclusive of those for whom English is not their first language.
Program Components
Youth agency partners will integrate math and/or literacy tutoring activities into their traditional summer and/or after-school programming a minimum of 2 days per week for 60 minutes per day. Numeracy coaches from New Haven Counts and literacy coaches from New Haven Reads will work with youth agency staff to plan and facilitate activities and support implementation.
For Parents
Students registered for after-school programs with the listed NHTI Partners may be eligible to participate in the Tutoring Initiative. Parents can also visit the websites of the listed partners directly to register for after-school programs.
There will also be community-wide events open to all families to spark a love for reading and math at home and to support families to build their own libraries full of books and math kits. Sign up to receive announcements about these citywide family events.
For Community Volunteers
Volunteers will be needed to support literacy and math tutoring this summer and during the academic school year. There will also be a need for volunteers to help support community literacy & math events and to donate gently used books. To learn more about volunteering click here.
For Community Volunteers
Volunteers will be needed to support literacy and math tutoring this summer and during the academic school year. The
For Math Kit Donations
Another way to contribute to this initiative is by helping to expand the home libraries of families by making contributions that will send K-8 math kits to the homes of New Haven students. Click here to fund the distribution of at-home math kits or call (203) 208-9249 to speak with a member of our team.
Lead Partners
United Way of Greater New Haven
New Haven Counts
New Haven Reads
LEAP
Math Partners
New HYTEs
Tennis Education
New HYTEs provides academic enrichment programs to our students four times per week during the school year. This is a critical component to our mission to put students on a pathway to post-secondary success. Staff and volunteer mentors from Yale and nearby schools including Hopkins provide homework assistance and coordinate fun group enrichment projects that enhance literacy and build life skills. New HYTEs staff communicate frequently with New Haven teachers to support the academic development and well-being of our scholars.
Horizons at Foote
Summer Program
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Music Haven
Arts Education
Music Haven creates an inclusive community for young people to learn, play, and express themselves through tuition-free classical music lessons and ongoing mentoring with world-class musicians.
At Music Haven, young musicians study with and are mentored by our resident musicians from first, second, or third grade until they graduate from high school. At the heart of our model is the relationship between teacher and student, and the relationships between the young musicians, themselves. Through music, they build community, develop resilience and self-confidence, and experience collective struggle and success.
Beulah Heights
Social Integration Program
Beulah Heights works in partnership with NHC and Wexler Grant School to support students in the Greater Dixwell Ave and Newhallville communities to build a strong foundation in mathematics. A strong foundation in math plants the seed for a successful future in STEM majors and STEM careers. Beulah Heights works with its congregation, NHC coordinators, and Higher Heights interns to provide 1:1 and 1:2 tutoring twice a week.
Little Scientists
STEM Education
Little to Great Scientists® Curriculum Units utilize innovative Hands-on, Minds-on, Inquiry & Practice-Based science experiments that are proven to increase students’ understanding of scientific concepts.
In addition to its Award-winning science program, Little Scientists works in partnership with NHC and New Haven Public Schools to provide high-dosage tutoring in math to students in its programs.
New Haven Public Schools
Saturday Academies
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