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Lorraine Elementary highlights student goal-setting, cross-age tutoring as boost to early literacy and numeracy
Summary
Lorraine Elementary School staff described a student-centered goal-setting system and a cross-age peer tutoring program administrators say is producing measurable gains in reading and math. Staff and student tutors explained selection, structure and incentives during the board meeting.
Lorraine Elementary staff presented the school's student goal-setting and cross-age tutoring initiatives during the Rockdale County Board of Education meeting Wednesday.
The school introduced a formal goal-setting card that shows each student's most recent STAAR and Lexile results and asks students to set reading, Lexile and math goals. "We let them set a goal that is not too low and not too high, so they can reach it," said a fifth-grade student who described how she changed study habits and watched her scores improve.
Staff described how teachers and an assistant principal guide students to create goals and how the school progress-monitors the white goal cards. Incentives were described: for example, students who meet growth goals can choose from options including a school breakfast with staff, gift cards supplied by the PTO or additional recess time.
Lorraine's cross-age tutoring program, in year two of full implementation, matches third- through fifth-grade tutors with kindergarten through fourth-grade tutees. "Tutors complete an application or are teacher-recommended; they receive training and work three times a week for about 25 minutes before school," said the school's MTSS coordinator, who described using targeted weekly objectives such as letter identification or addition fact fluency.
Students described the program directly: Katie Spain, a tutor in her second year, said she enjoys watching younger students have "light bulb moments" when practice pays off. A tutee, Genesis, said tutors help by "breaking numbers down" and drawing pictures to explain problems.
Why it matters: School staff cited research showing cross-age peer tutoring can yield more than one year's academic growth when implemented effectively. Presentation slides included STAR and STAAR score changes; staff said one student gained 33 STAAR math points and showed measurable STAR growth after tutoring.
Implementation details: Lorraine reported 15'to'25 student tutors and about 25'to—30 tutees per school year; sessions run Tuesday through Thursday, before school. Tutors are selected via teacher recommendation, direct application and leadership referrals. Staff said some partnerships have moved from cafeteria-based sessions into classrooms to provide greater instructional alignment and monitoring.
Board members asked about assessments and monitoring; staff said tutors use multiple measures beyond STAR to track weekly progress when in the classroom, including RTI-targeted goals and teacher input.
The school recognized individual students who met growth milestones during the December administration and noted additional plans to expand math-focused peer tutoring.
