North Wasco approves HeyTutor contract to deliver state-funded high-dosage tutoring
Loading...
Summary
The North Wasco County SD 21 board voted to approve a state-funded high-dosage tutoring contract with HeyTutor to deliver in-person literacy interventions for early grades, with local hires, a data dashboard and a 10‑week minimum cycle; the board emphasized parent access to data and will review results before renewing.
The North Wasco County SD 21 board unanimously approved a contract with HeyTutor on Feb. 24 to launch a state-funded high-dosage tutoring program focused on early literacy for elementary students.
Dr. Ali Ivy, director of teaching and learning, told the board the district asked for four tutors (each roughly 20 hours per week) and preferred bilingual tutors for Chenoweth Elementary to support the dual-language program. She said HeyTutor’s curriculum aligns with the science of reading, offers in-person delivery (a requirement for the district), and includes a real-time assessment dashboard meant to mirror the district’s I-Ready measures so staff can monitor progress.
Ivy said the contract covers tutoring through the end of the current school year and that the district will treat this as a “strategic learning year” before deciding whether to continue or bring the model in-house. She said HeyTutor will handle recruiting and training and that remaining grant funds will be used to extend after-school tutoring at the sites.
Board members pressed for specifics about parent access to student progress and the tutor-to-student ratios. Ivy acknowledged a contract-state discrepancy: the provider’s preferred model limits small groups to a maximum of three students (1:3), while Oregon Department of Education grant rules permit up to 1:4; she said she will ensure contract language aligns with state requirements and requested adding explicit parent-engagement language to the agreement.
Several directors said they’d prefer an in-district solution long-term but supported contracting now because teachers’ current schedules and timely hiring constraints make an external partner the practical option. Ivy said HeyTutor will hire locally for the on-site tutor positions and will provide family webinars, one-page parent resources and periodic progress reports to families.
Director Kelly moved to approve the contract; Director Pauline seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Board materials and staff comments note the state provided the grant (district did not competitively apply), the district must meet a minimum 10-week tutoring cycle, and the contract will be evaluated at year’s end before any renewal.
What’s next: staff will meet immediately with HeyTutor to finalize hiring logistics and to request contract edits that make parent engagement and the agreed student: tutor ratio explicit. The district will report back to the board on early implementation and outcome data before considering renewal.
