Birmingham City Schools is partnering with United Way of Central Alabama to coordinate an intensive high-dosage tutoring program for BCS students dealing with COVID-related learning loss. The program connects tutors from local colleges and universities with small groups of BCS students for tutoring sessions within BCS schools during the school day. The BCS Tutoring Partnership is designed to offset learning loss and provide students with additional academic support for success in school and beyond.
Additional information can be found on the BCS Tutoring Partnership website at www.BCSTutoring.org.
The BCS Tutoring Partnership Program Guidelines are a general resource for all college and university students interested or involved in tutoring Birmingham City School students. These guidelines contain basic information, responsibilities, and expectations relevant to the BCS Tutoring Partnership Program.
What is required for the tutor application?
- In addition to completing the application form, which can be found on the www.BCSTutoring.org website, prospective tutors will need to upload a current copy of their resume and college transcript. Only completed applications will be accepted for consideration.
What are the eligibility requirements to serve as a tutor?
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To be considered for a tutor position, interested applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled in local college or university
- 3.0 or higher-Grade Point Average
- Completed Tutoring Partnership Application
- Uploaded Current Resume
- Uploaded Current College Transcript (Official or Unofficial)
- Pass a background check.
What is the required time commitment for tutors?
- Tutors must commit to serving as a tutor for at least a full semester and provide tutoring sessions for a minimum of 8 hours per week. Tutors may serve up to 20 hours per week.
What are the responsibilities of tutors?
Orientation and Training:
- Virtual and face-to-face training sessions for tutors will be scheduled once tutors have been identified. Tutors must attend training sessions.
- Attend training on timesheet procedures and approval processes.
Attendance:
- Report to the participating school at the designated time to the main office.
- Be available at the tutoring site 15 minutes prior to the tutoring session start time and 15 minutes after the session concludes.
- Maintain timesheet and ensure Primary School Contact at school location provides timesheet approval.
- Be punctual and regular in attendance.
- Tutors are only permitted up to three unexpected absences during each semester.
- Absences during time periods when colleges/universities are not in session will not count as an unexpected absence, but tutors are expected to communicate those dates to Primary School Contact.
- Notify appropriate personnel at the participating school in case of an unavoidable delay or absence at least 24 hours in advance, if possible.
- Follow the schedule of the school district for holidays and other days off.
- In the event of excessive absences, the principal, district staff from Birmingham City Schools and staff from United Way of Central Alabama will decide about the tutor’s continued participation in the program.
Professional Conduct and Dress:
- Consistently read and respond to emails and texts related to the BCS tutoring program. The email account and contact number on the tutor application will be the official means of communication.
- Honor confidentiality and professional etiquette at all times; do not discuss personal student information outside of the classroom; discussions with school personnel should remain private and professional.
- Refrain from using cell phones or other devices unless expressly for tutoring purposes during tutoring sessions.
- Tutors are expected to maintain business casual attire.
Rules, Regulations and Ethical Behavior:
- Exhibit satisfactory dispositional behaviors, including adherence BCS policies. A record of unsatisfactory professional dispositions will be completed in the event a tutor is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities. Unsatisfactory professional dispositions are grounds for dismissal from the program.
- Any information or suspicions related to student/child abuse should be immediately reported to the BCS Primary School Contact. Proof is not required, just a good faith belief that abuse has occurred.
- Refrain from advocating personal, religious, or political views upon the students and exhibit a broadminded, inclusive attitude toward all individuals.
- Act impartially in dealing with students and constantly strive to be fair when judging students’ actions.
What is the policy for tutor placement?
Birmingham City Schools is responsible for placing all tutors. Tutors are not permitted to arrange placements.
BCS will provide tutors with a district contact who will communicate school assignments and monitor tutor attendance.
Once tutors are identified, BCS and UWCA staff will arrange times for the tutor to connect with the school’s principal or designee. During that meeting, the tutor’s schedule will be finalized, and the principal will share school-specific information the tutor needs to know prior to the first day of tutoring.
What factors are used to determine placement sites?
Several factors are involved in the selection of a placement site for a tutor – these factors include, but are not limited to: Approved Schools and the number of students participating in the Tutoring Partnership Program. Assignments may change based on student attendance or issues concerning COVID-19 CDC Guidelines.
What is the withdrawal policy?
If a tutor finds it necessary to withdraw from the Tutoring Partnership program, the principal, the Primary School Contact at the school placement site and the United Way Program Coordinator must be notified immediately.
What is the removal policy?
All tutors are expected to comply with the rules, regulations, and expectations of the school site. The tutor may be removed from the program site at any time upon the request of the school in which the tutor is placed.
What should the tutor do if a problem occurs during a session?
The tutor should attempt to address all problems directly with the principal, or Primary School Contact at the school location. In the event the results are not satisfactory or if the situation is not resolved, the Primary School Contact should immediately contact the UWCA Program Coordinator and the BCS district contact. All problems should be handled professionally and discussed with the aforementioned individuals only.
