Reading Partners Will Tutor Tulsa Children Virtually This Year

As many schools nationwide start the school year away from in-person learning - tutors are also having to adjust.

"While we won't be in person in the fall, we will be still tutoring and bringing our curriculum to life," said Justin Harlan, the executive director of Reading Partners.

Reading Partners, a nationwide non-profit with thousands of volunteers here in Tulsa, is no different.

Executive Director Justin Harlan said since most of the students they tutor will be learning virtually, they will be doing the same through a program called Reading Partners Connect.

"COVID has kind of shaken up everything,” said Harlan. “Tutoring has never really been more convenient. You can log in from your home or the office. Get paired up with a child who's learning virtually as well."

Using an encrypted video conferencing platform, students and tutors will still meet and work on reading assignments and curriculum.

Right now, the program is used heavily in Tulsa Public Schools, but Harlan said they're expanding this year into Jenks.

Harlan said it's important now because studies have shown COVID-19 is putting many students behind, something other members of the organization also see.

"Students overall could lose an average of 7 months of learning," said Dean Elson, the Chief Knowledge Officer.

Harlan said they're now finalizing plans to bring back volunteers from last school year and will add new ones starting in September.

"We really do need as many adults as possible signing up," said Harlan.