Title
AARP Experience Corps Tutoring Program (Ordinance S-44956)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AARP Foundation to continue implementing the volunteer tutoring program, and authorize the City Controller to retroactively apply, accept and disburse funds to support the program in the amount of $450,000 ($150,000 per year for three years).
Further request approval to retroactively apply for, accept and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement for up to $900,000 ($300,000 per year for three years) from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family funding for the AmeriCorps State Grant Program to continue to support the AARP Experience Corps Program.
Report
Summary
The Read On Phoenix’s AARP Experience Corps tutoring program is based on a consistent, structured, one-on-one tutoring model. Trained volunteer tutors provide two, half-hour weekly sessions that support and reinforce the skills taught by the classroom teacher. Students are assigned to volunteers for the entire school year, with the goal of 35 tutoring sessions. Students selected for the program are identified as reading below grade level based on fluency assessments. The program is implemented in Phoenix Title 1 schools with high numbers or percentages of children reading below grade level and from low-income families.
Based on the time constraints on the dates of the grant submission and subcommittee meetings, retroactive approval from City Council is necessary for the entire tutoring program in one request. The grant funds from both entities will help sustain and assist in scaling the in-school and out-of-school tutoring programs in Phoenix schools.
Contract Term
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AARP Foundation is for one year, with two options to extend for one-year increments.
The Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family is for one year, with two options to extend for one-year increments.
Financial Impact
The total requested amount of $1,350,000 (450,00 per year) includes funding for staff, volunteer stipends, training, supplies, and site-preparation costs for implementing the proposed program throughout the city.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family item was recommended for approval at the Parks, Arts, Education and Equality Subcommittee meeting on April 25, 2018 by a vote of 3-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Youth and Education Office.