New online help for struggling students

Are your kids having trouble mastering the Sunshine State Standards? Do they need homework help?

The Florida Department of Education has created two new web sites that feature real-time assistance by trained tutors. Kids can submit their questions and get answers, as well as search educational web sites and talk on a bulletin board to other students, teachers, parents and registered participants.

Students in grades K-5 can get tutoring from 3-7 p.m. (EST) Monday through Thursday, while those in grades 6-12 can get help from 5-9 p.m. (EST). The Florida Learning Network is for the entire state, while the Florida Tutor Network is aimed at students in northern Florida.

"The projects are a targeted initiative to help the students in Florida who are having trouble with their homework and mastering the Sunshine State Standards," DOE spokesman Tom Butler told the Gradebook. "These sites are a result of that initiative."

The sites already are up and running. "Students, parents and librarians can sign up to use the sites through a simple registration process that is initiated by clicking the link 'click here to get started' and following the displayed directions," Butler said. "Teachers and district administrators will be emailed their login information in the near future."

Comments

Someone should note that this is a great time to start a new program . . . when FCAT is over for the year and retention/promotion issues are largely already decided. How much money could have been saved by not doing these programs? Why weren't they launched in August when they could have impacted this school year? . . . Follow the money . . .