The Biden administration has surpassed its goal of recruiting 250,000 adults to work as tutors, mentors, and support staff in K-12 schools, reaching over 323,000 recruits a year ahead of schedule. This milestone, part of the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS), aims to close learning gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why it matters: The pandemic left a devastating impact on student achievement, particularly in reading and math, with students performing at levels not seen since the 1990s. The NPSS initiative, launched in 2022, focused on addressing this issue by deploying mentors, tutors, and career coaches to help students regain lost ground [Education Week, subscription model].
By the numbers: A spring 2024 survey conducted by the RAND Corporation reported that 28% of principals saw an increase in adults serving in key support roles, such as high-intensity tutors and mentors, compared to the previous school year.
- 34% of principals said more students received high-intensity tutoring in 2023-24 than in the prior school year.
- 24% reported an increase in students receiving mentorship.
What’s next: As pandemic-era federal funding for these programs diminishes, school leaders must determine how to maintain and expand the critical support these programs provide. Chronic absenteeism remains a key barrier to recovery, with principals citing a need for more people to help address this ongoing issue.
