Q: What schools will be served in the 2007-2008 program year?
A: Mt. Vernon, Jefferson-Houston, Ramsay, John Adams, Samuel Tucker, Lyles Crouch, Polk, Ramsay, and Maury.

Q: What kind of tutoring does ATC provide?
A: ATC volunteers tutor reading with first and second graders who have been identified by pre-testing as reading below grade level. This is in support of the Primary Initiative, a goal of the Alexandria City Public Schools to have all students reading at or above grade level by the end of second grade.

Q: What is the expected commitment from a tutor?
A: ATC's primary format provides tutoring two times per week, usually in half-hour sessions, during school hours. It is common that volunteers partner to meet this schedule. School Coordinators can help arrange partners if that is needed. We strive to place everyone who wants to participate.

Q: When does the tutoring begin and end?
A: The program year will begin early in October and continues to Memorial Day. Some tutors plan with the student's teacher to continue tutoring until mid-June. We follow the school calendar on holidays and vacations, and do not tutor when the system is closed (such as snow days).

Q: What about training and orientation?
A: ATC tutors are expected to attend training sessions conducted by ACPS staff. There is Level 1 training for beginning tutors and Level 2 for experienced tutors. Orientation is provided by each school, at the direction of the principal and organized by the school volunteer coordinator.

Q: How are tutors assigned to schools?
A: Tutors can serve in any of the schools with which we partner. Factors that influence choice are: proximity to the tutor's home or work, or the partnering of a tutor's congregation or organization with a particular school.

Q: If I tutor with a partner, do we need to meet with our student during the same time slot?
A: If at all possible, yes. School coordinators work with tutors to set a schedule compatible with all concerned.

Q: What if I tutored last year and want to continue with the same student?
A: Given our focus on reading and the Primary Initiative, we encourage tutors to take on another student rather than continuing with a previous student. However, individual requests are taken into account in the matching process.

Q: How do I sign up?
A: The coordinator for your congregation or organization will have registration forms, click here to sign up, or contact Claudia Barnett, Program Manager, at atc@opmh.org or (703) 549-6670 x119.

Q: Are there any background checks, fees, or references required?
A: No fees are required but ACPS requires references for all volunteers. The new ATC application includes two reference forms.

Q: How can I tell if I am helping my student?
A: You will know from your own experience that you are making progress. You can confer with the classroom teacher or the school volunteer coordinator and they can give you feedback. ATC also is unique in that we require pre- and post-testing of students. These tests are administered by school staff. Last year's results show that tutoring increased reading ability by an average of one year and two months for participating first and second grade students.