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Partners in Learning (PINL) is sponsored by the Commonweal Foundation for the purpose of assisting students in high poverty areas with their literacy and math skills. There are currently 40 established sites at a combination of public and private schools as well as in a number of community centers in Prince George’s, Montgomery and Washington counties. Most sites cater to the needs of elementary school age children at present, yet one of PINL’s goals is to expand into more secondary school sites. Students at the partnership sites are instructed in after school programs by certified teachers, instructional assistants and individuals in teacher training programs. Instruction takes place 3-4 days a week in groups of 3-5 students meeting with an individual instructor. There is no cost to students, their parents or the site for this service.
A typical program takes place from Monday through Thursday and begins and ends at times designated by the site. Programs run at local schools often, though not always, have bus transportation available at the end of the day. Programs run in community centers often have a recreation component connected to the academic tutoring. Literacy and math progress is measured through the administration of both pre- and post-tests. A major component of the literacy program is the gift of books to all the children after they have read the stories in the small group instruction.
Partners in Learning is consistent with the federal “No Child Left Behind” legislation that is aimed at eliminating the academic achievement gap between children that grow up in impoverished areas with children that grow up in more affluent areas. Its intent is to provide children and teachers with the additional time that is needed to help less advantaged students catch up to the achievement level of their more advantaged peers. As a result PINL works with students from the fall of each school year through May and, in addition, established summer programs at the majority of our sites.
Interested parties should contact the Commonweal Foundation (located in Silver Spring, Maryland) at 240-450-0000 or e mail any of the following individuals:
Fred Lowenbach, Program Director: flowenbach@cweal.org
Rebecka Slay, Education Coordinator: rslay@cweal.org
Sue Kaspar, Program Assistant: skaspar@cweal.org. |
