Q. What is the cost to the schools and students?
A. There is no cost to the schools or the students, either for the tutors’ courses or the tutoring in the schools. Schools typically provide afternoon cookies and/or other small treats. Some schools also provide lunches for special meetings.
Q. Then how is the program financed?
A. L2L is financed by concerned individuals, foundations and corporations. As we grow and succeed, we hope the government will share in the modest expense. We also have services to offer to parents at a modest fee.
Q. Do we accept individual donations?
A. Yes, with much appreciation, payable to Licensed to Learn. Receipts will be issued for tax purposes. We do not have online capability for this as yet, but do have a mailing address: 56 Chiswell Crescent, Toronto, ON, M2N 6E1
Q. Is there a need for volunteers?
A. Always. All persons associated with the program who will be in the schools must have police checks. Those interested should e-mail written résumés to L2L including what background and experience they have, and what they would like to do.
Q. What services are there for parents?
A. Parents wishing to find out more about how to help their children can apply for workshops offered by L2L. There is a fee for these workshops. Interested persons should contact L2L.
Q. Can parents contact trained tutors to help their children?
A. Most guidance departments have list of tutors available. L2L tutors can place themselves on that list. Parents can contact L2L for suggestions, but they will be referred to schools for specifics.
Q. What subjects are the tutors trained in?
A. The certified tutors all have first class standing in the subjects they tutor in, or the recommendation of their teachers. The courses train them in how to tutor. When hiring tutors, L2L or not, make sure they have experience or standing in the subjects you what them to tutor in, and training in how to tutor. That’s what makes the difference, but there are no guarantees, just lots of very positive experience.
Q. Do L2L certified tutors charge for tutoring?
A. Not in the schools, but they are endorsed to do so outside the school, and this is part of the strength of the program: helping students to be self-sufficient. There are increasing levels of certification, so parents should check carefully to be sure the tutor is properly certified for the job. Fully certified senior tutors can charge the going tutoring rates. Beginning tutors might start at around per hour.
Q. How do schools apply to join the L2L program?
A. Schools can contact L2L through the various means set out in the ‘Contact’ page.
Q. How do students apply for tutoring?
A. Through the special education or guidance departments in school in which the program runs.
Q. How do students apply to be tutors?
A. There are announcements in the schools where the program is running for applications.
Q. What are the qualifications to apply to be a tutor?
A. Tutors must have first class standing in the subjects in which they tutor, and they must have the recommendation of their teachers that they are mature enough for the program.
Q. How much time is involved in the certificate course for the tutors?
A. Each course involves about 20 hours, and can be completed over one or two terms, or one semester. Most tutors are already very busy in school life, and they manage to complete the course comfortably.
Q. Does the program work?
A. Every school that has students who have completed a certificate course has said so. See the ‘Feedback’ section of this site. For 'harder' evidence, L2L has solicited the services of Ms. Maria Yau, a professional education program evaluator, to help in producing valid evidence of the program's worth.
Q. Why don’t teachers use these methods in their classes?
A. In the early years, many teachers do use these methods. As the curriculum becomes more structured and content laden, it becomes harder and harder to address the individual differences of each student in the room. Ontario and many other jurisdictions have chosen the mass standardized testing route, and this puts further difficulties in the way of building from students’ personal strengths.
‘Real’, ‘accountable’ knowledge is defined at the university levels and that influence seeps down the line through the teachers’ colleges into teaching practice and thought. The impact really comes at the start of Middle School when the curriculum changes to the ‘content’ focus and the teaching clicks into content coverage mode. That leaves students to ‘sink or swim’, and that is where L2L, and in school teacher tutoring is really helpful.
Q. Can schools and students not yet in the program use the materials effectively?
A. Everyone using the materials and resources on the site must do so within all the applicable laws in their jurisdiction. L2L can only issue certificates to those students who have done so through its program. Apart from that, others are welcome to use the resources.
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