Indiana expands learning recovery tutoring program
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The Indiana Department of Education is expanding its statewide tutoring program, Indiana Learns.
The program began last fall as an effort to extend learning recovery support to Hoosier students coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. It awards $1,000 to qualifying families for math and language arts tutoring provided by approved out-of-school programs.
To qualify, students must have scored below proficiency this spring on the state’s standardized exam, ILEARN. While the program was initially open only to fourth and fifth graders, the state is opening Indiana Learns up to students in grades three through eight in its latest expansion.
“We know from our 2023 ILEARN proficiency results, and the ongoing academic impact/recovery analysis, that our middle school students in particular need strategic learning support and interventions,” Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner said in a news release. “This will allow parents and families, who may not otherwise be able to pay for high-dosage tutoring, to access these opportunities for their students and provide them the additional support they need.”
Expansion of the Indiana Learns program, which is administered by Indianapolis-based not-for-profit The Mind Trust, includes an increase in awards to students already registered with the program, as well as an opportunity for new families to re-apply for additional awards after their first scholarship is spent.
Also effective in July, individual schools and school corporations can serve as learning partners that offer onsite tutoring without meeting a previous scholarship-matching requirement. Tutoring may also now be offered during the school day.
State education officials say more than 10,000 students have already registered for the program. Families can verify their student’s eligibility by visiting IndianaLearns.org and providing their child’s birth date and student test number, typically found on their child’s ILEARN exam.
The state is also seeking new learning partners to provide tutoring as Indiana Learns expands. More information about learning partner requirements can also be found on the Indiana Learns website.
Questions can be directed via email to info@indianalearns.org or by phone to 317-203-9236.