Millions to Be Spent on H.S. Tutors

None by KCPW

Experimental Program Aims for Better Test Scores

(KCPW News) Beginning this week, tutoring companies and private study assistants can apply for state-funded stipends between $500 and $1,500 per student they help. The money is part of a new experiment in Utah aimed at students who repeatedly fail the State's standardized high school graduation test.

Students first take the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test during their sophomore year and continue until they pass the math, reading and writing components. Any student who fails the test three times by the spring of their junior year is eligible for the tutoring stipend.

Associate State Superintendent Ray Timothy says if the student doesn't pass, the tutor doesn't get the money. He suspects school districts will tap into most of the funds to expand existing tutoring programs before and after school.

The Utah Legislature allocated $7.5 million from the state's general fund to pilot the stipend program. Critics say the money should be used to improve public school offerings, rather than funneling funds to the private sector.

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