Arizona Superintendent to Use COVID Relief for $40 Million Tutoring Program

PHOENIX (AP) Arizona is channeling $40 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding toward tutoring students falling behind in school, the state superintendent said Tuesday.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne announced at a news conference that free tutoring will be available for students who failed to pass proficiency tests in reading, writing and math.

The tutoring program, however, will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Only students between first and eighth grade at public and charter schools will be eligible. Parents can request it through the state Department of Education website.

I have one obsession in life. My obsession is that we increase the proficiency levels of the students in the schools and that we help the teachers achieve that, Horne said.

The funding will cover over one million hours of tutoring for four days a week over a six-week period. Either a certified teacher or a private vendor approved by the state would do the tutoring, according to Horne.