Girls’ Programs
What we do
The Girls’ Tutoring Program provides one-to-one remedial tutoring in reading and math to improve academic outcomes for girls in 1st through 8th grades living in southwest Detroit. Tutors include certified teachers, retired teachers, and trained volunteers. Girls receive assistance with reading, math, homework, computer literacy, creative expression, and appropriate social interaction. In addition, MEP provides academic assistance and guided support for girls in the transition to high school.
During the summer, MEP also offers Emerging Leaders, a four-week enrichment program, for middle school girls, focusing on college and career awareness. From the base camp at University of Detroit Mercy, participants visit other colleges, universities and workplaces. They also learn leadership skills through educational and recreational activities. The program concludes with girls making PowerPoint presentations on some aspect of college preparation to parents and guardians.
Why we do it
In Detroit, only one-quarter to one-half of high school students graduate, and nearly half of the adult population is considered functionally illiterate. In southwest Detroit, 24 percent of adults do not have a 9th grade education, and more than half did not finish high school. Girls who participate in MEP’s tutoring sessions are often two or more years behind grade level in reading and/or math, may live in single-parent families, and have many family responsibilities. MEP provides a supportive environment that reinforces skill development and encourages success.
How we do it
MEP focuses on math and reading improvement with curriculum-based, one-to-one tutoring proven to work well with girls who are behind in school. Our unique evaluation, tracking and tutoring process includes:
- independent educational assessment to determine grade-level functioning
- evaluation of learning style for each girl
- training sessions for tutors with one of five curriculum choices chosen to match a child’s learning style
- careful student-to-tutor matching
- rigorous tutoring (not homework help) 1 to 2 days per week for a minimum of 65 minutes of the two-hour program
- post testing to measure math and reading skills improvement
The Girls’ Tutoring Program also offers afterschool meals, door-to-door transportation and structured activities to address basic needs and provide other enriching experiences. Periodic Family Nights, during the school year, help parents and caregivers provide an encouraging home learning environment and begin to better understand the importance of education to their child’s future success.
Results
- Nearly all of the girls in grades 1-8 who come for tutoring in reading and math skills improve a minimum of one grade level or more over two semesters.
- All of the 8th grade students in the tutoring program advance to high school; unfortunately many students in the community do not make this important transition.
