LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — The Little Rock School District board members have been actively working to make sure students can get caught up academically after the pandemic hit them hard.
This year, they have seen a dramatic decrease in students' test scores, and now they hope that a new program will be able to help them get back on track.
LRSD will begin a pilot program next Spring where selected schools will have virtual access that will allow students to get more help with classwork.
Elementary schools will have tutors who can give help in small groups, or even one-on-one, in addition to the teacher's instruction.
Secondary schools will have 24/7 tutors who can help students with their assignments.
This decision was made after just last week when the school district got a devastating assessment in its annual and federal education assessments from the Arkansas Education Department.
This year, 20 schools failed— a major surge from just 4 schools in 2019.
"We're very disappointed, but not really that surprised because of all the terrible consequences of the pandemic, and so really this raises I think more of our sense of urgency," said Greg Adams, LRSD Board President.
If the district sees success next Spring, it will then expand the program to more schools in the Fall.
Schools participating in the 2nd-semester pilot are:
- King Elementary
- Fullbright Elementary
- Western Hills
- Stephens
- Gibbs
- Baseline
- Chicot
- Washington
- Brady
- Terry
- Williams
- Pulaski Heights
- Carver
- McDermott
- All Secondary Schools