Tutoring program boosts test scores; California: Salida Union School District.

An after-school tutoring program designed to help students improve their performance on academic achievement tests led to Salida Union School District in Salida, Calif., being named a state winner in the 2006 National Civic Star Award competition.

Before the Los Arcos Learning Center began operation, educators polled community focus groups. The groups were asked what they would expect of such a program if they were paying for the services. The consensus was a program tailored to the needs of students and parents that offered quality instruction, time on tasks and achievement results worth the cost of participation.

The Los Arcos Learning Center initially began as a three-hour, after-school tutoring program for English-language learners in grades one through eight. Students attended one of two 90-minute sessions five days a week for 12 weeks. Time during each session was divided between high-quality, research-proven, technology-based instruction and time with a credentialed teacher. Tutoring was aimed at developing reading, math and English-language skills.

Even though sessions ran until 6 p.m., 95 percent of enrolled students were present each day. The quality of instruction and academic growth of participating students quickly led to greater demand for service and long waiting lists.

As a result, the center started opening earlier in the afternoon so students from the nearby elementary school could benefit from participation during the regular school day.

English-language learners and students from economically disadvantaged families who were meeting grade-level standards were selected by their teachers to participate in the Los Arcos school-day program. The goal of the program was to encourage higher-performing students to strengthen their understanding of the foundation skills necessary for success in high school and college.

As demand for services grew, the learning center created ways for students' parents and other community members to gain access to learning opportunities. The center now operates as many as 12 hours on some days with a full range of programs.

The programs include approximately 30 families from the Even Start family literacy program, 15 kindergarten students and their parents learning to read together, 80 school children with academic performance near grade-level standards, 42 English language learners struggling to achieve grade-level performance and 20 adults working toward GED certificates.

Community-based organizations involved with the center include Family Services Agency, Even Start, Migrant Education, Stanislaus County, Housing and Urban Development, Stanislaus Business Partners in Education, AutoSkill International, HCDI Corp., Southwest Airlines and United Way. These partners provide community contacts, computer software, tutors and scholarships for students to attend Los Arcos programs.

Los Arcos is planning to expand by providing services compatible with those already being provided. Another plan is to involve more parents in team learning with their children during tutoring sessions.

For more information, contact Superintendent Antonio Borba at Salida Union School District, 4801 Sisk Rd., Salida, Calif. 95368, or call [phone]. Borba's e-mail address is [e-mail].