Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
RSVP is looking for virtual math coaches
“The volunteer math coach becomes invaluable to students who are struggling with a concept or problem. With teachers overwhelmed, the coach can take the time to zero in on the problem with the student, until it’s understood. The coach can then select the specific skill that needs to be worked on and together they can tackle it.”
Classes may have started but that doesn’t mean that all students are learning at the same rate.
Math and literacy scores for America’s 9-year-olds fell dramatically during the first two years of the pandemic, resulting in the largest drop in achievement in 30 years, according to a new federal study.
“In third grade, students learn the foundational skills they will need to form a basic understanding of math and numbers,” said Maria Dell, RSVP’s math tutoring coordinator.
With students just beginning classes and learning at such different rates, virtual math coaches are needed to help third- and fourth-graders graders get back on track by focusing on multiplication of single numbers, simple division, fractions and digits. There are students waiting and eager for a coach.
Students lagging behind are referred by teachers or their parents as needing additional support. Teacher referrals are typically tutored during class during two half-hour sessions each week, and parent referrals are tutored after school during an hour-long session.
Not a math genius? Not a problem.
RSVP’s math tutoring program utilizes the IXL online platform, which includes an initial assessment of the student’s skill level. If the student has difficulty with one of the questions, the program will automatically offer suggestions or, if needed, take a step back and introduce a simpler problem, pinpointing the area the student needs to improve on accordingly.
“The volunteer math coach becomes invaluable to students who are struggling with a concept or problem,” Dell said. “With teachers overwhelmed, the coach can take the time to zero in on the problem with the student, until it’s understood. The coach can then select the specific skill that needs to be worked on and together they can tackle it.”
Interested volunteers must pass an open-book math assessment and can use available resources to solve each problem. Once completed, along with required clearances for working with children, volunteers select age or grade level preference (third grade through college age) and indicate their availability.
The program coordinator will then schedule a training date where the goals of the program, IXL program introduction and Zoom and whiteboard training will be covered.
To initiate a session, the coach will log in to the IXL program first and share the screen with the student via a Zoom session. Both will then be able to use the whiteboard feature to begin the student assessment process.
“It may take a few sessions to determine the student’s current understanding of different math skills,” Dell said, “and will help the coach identify which concepts are problematic. Another great feature of this program is that teachers have access to the progress reports from each session.”
Teachers may request that the coach focus on a specific chapter or lesson in the classroom’s text book. The IXL program includes a full library of Pennsylvania text books that can easily be accessed. The pair can work at a leisurely pace on the lesson together to enable the student to advance in class.
Keith Choper found out about the RSVP program through an article in a newspaper promoting the need for volunteers.
“It started with my grandson, Shane, who was then in first grade,” Choper said. “When schools shut down during COVID, I was asked to help with his virtual schooling because both parents were working full time” relays Choper. “Once he completed the lessons provided by his teachers, we’d keep going a little beyond the lesson plan.
“Shane is the kind of kid that likes to excel in everything he does so we’d make it a fun experience — to see what else he could learn. His teachers were very supportive so we asked if they could forward text book pages showing where he should go next. Shane still loves math and asks if he can come to Pop-Pop’s house to do math.”
During his career as an environmental engineer, Choper learned that everything in life involves communication and math in one form or another.
“They are essential skills,” he said. “I thought I could help.”
Last year, Choper worked with two students in fourth grade who were able to grasp working with fractions and moved on.
“I am looking forward to working with the new IXL platform,” Choper said. “I had my first training session and it looks like a great tool. Once you enter the student’s grade level and subject, the questions start to pop up on screen and the student responds.
“I think that IXL is not just a remedial tool but the student can use it to advance at a pace they are comfortable with. The best success will come to students if their parents and teachers are supportive and encouraging.
“It’s fun to chat a little with the student first to get to know them and make them more comfortable. The goal is to make it a pleasant as well as rewarding session.”
To learn more about RSVP’s math tutoring program, contact Dell at mariad@rsvpmc.org or visit https://www.rsvpmc.org/my-free-tutor-home-page.