NewsWest 9
ODESSA - For most students, getting that extra help in class can be the difference between a passing and failing grade.
"It's critical. We have many students who are bubble kids. With the tutor program we can help reinforce on their exact needs," Principal Wayne Squires of Cavazos Elementary School, said.
However, the state felt that the $900,000 that was used for ECISD's tutoring program should instead be spent on training teachers. Now, finding tutors to help their students may be a bit of a challenge.
"It really depends on how campuses run their tutor program. We're doing the same thing, but now having to find them in different places cause the money is gone," Mike Adkins, ECISD Director of Communications, said.
Principal Wayne Squires says now they're having their existing full time teachers serve as tutors.
"We're using some alternatives. Each campus was given an interventionist. Teachers who are available everyday through out the day and will also help kids with special needs," Squires said.
School district officials say even though they lost their funding for a tutoring program, they will still have tutors; they'll just have to go about it a different way.
"We have a lot of students that could use the extra help. Any of that one on one is beneficial for kids," Adkins said.
