East Chicago district pilot of Sylvan tutoring yields 43% iRead pass rate among participants, trustees weigh next steps

School City of Chicago trustees reviewed results of a fall tutoring pilot with Sylvan Learning Center on Thursday, hearing that 155 elementary students participated, the district paid Sylvan $282,000 from ESSER funds and that 67 students — 43 percent of the group — passed the state iRead exam after the program.

The presentation, led by Christine (staff member) and Miss Jorgensen, Sylvan Learning Center representative, summarized district benchmarking and program details. Christine said, “Our total contract was 282,000. That's what we paid Sylvan, for their services for the winter.” Miss Jorgensen described the program schedule as “30 total sessions,” offered three times a week at participating elementary schools.

Trustees and district staff framed the results two ways: by iRead passage and by midyear benchmark growth. District staff reported that, of the 155 students tracked, 67 passed iRead (43 percent) and 112 students, or 72 percent, showed growth on the NWEA (NWA) winter benchmark. The district used the…