To the Editor:
Steph and Ayesha Curry’s $25 million commitment to Oakland, Calif., schools to fund tutoring programs is both timely and exciting news (“Steph and Ayesha Curry’s Plea to Philanthropy: Don’t Let Pandemic-Era Tutoring Programs End,” September 5).
As the Currys explain, tutoring is one of the most effective ways to support pandemic learning recovery. Their donation will go a long way toward helping struggling students.
But a lack of tutors could significantly hinder those plans — a problem that could be addressed with more philanthropic investment in tutor-training programs. A growing number of such programs are sprouting up, but more are needed to ensure tutors are available in communities nationwide to provide students with high-quality, one-on-one attention.
The Annenberg Foundation, where I work, is supporting such a program. Teaming up with Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and the nonprofit Step Up Tutoring, we created a free tutor-training program that teaches people with little or no experience how to help students succeed.
As the Currys note, tutoring made all the difference for their own children. Let’s make sure such support is available for millions of other students by training the people who do this critical work.
Nati Rodriguez
Program Director, Annenberg Learner
The Annenberg Foundation