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Tewksbury schools to pilot high‑dosage tutoring; district advances early‑college planning
Summary
The district will use Amplify for state‑funded high‑dosage tutoring following DIBELS screening; an optional student survey and focus groups will guide expansion of early‑college pathways at Tewksbury Memorial High School and support a multi‑year grant application.
Tewksbury administrators told the School Committee on Sept. 17 that the district will target students for high‑dosage tutoring using state funds and the provider Amplify, with initial screening and selection to follow early‑year assessments.
An assistant superintendent said the district will use beginning‑of‑year screening data — DIBELS for foundational reading — scheduled for early October, to identify students who qualify for the extra tutoring. The assistant superintendent said Amplify will provide the tutoring and monitor students’ progress; students who meet pre‑set benchmarks will be released from tutoring so seats can be offered to other qualifying students.
Committee members asked whether tutoring would be inside the school day; the assistant superintendent said it is scheduled as additional support during school hours. Committee members also inquired about parental consent and whether students need Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to qualify; administration said screening data will determine qualification and that parental consent procedures apply.
Separately, the superintendent reported progress on early‑college planning at Tewksbury Memorial High School. The district hosted student and staff forums to gather student interest in expanded dual‑enrollment, AP and certificate pathways. Administrators plan an optional student survey to identify the fields of study students want — for example, medical or engineering pathways — and will pursue grant opportunities to support multi‑year early‑college development. The district described a phased grant approach: the first year funds planning and subsequent years support training, course expansion and materials.
Why this matters: high‑dosage tutoring is a short‑term intervention meant to accelerate learning for screened students; early‑college pathways can increase dual‑credit opportunities and align high‑school coursework with post‑secondary plans.
Ending: District officials said they will return with screening results after DIBELS testing and with updates on the early‑college grant pursuit and survey timing.
