SES Faqs

Frequent Asked Questions

What kind of tutoring is available?

On-line, in home or community based tutoring is available in mathematics and reading with support from our tutors. Students work on computer and interact with Odyssey® Programs.

What grade levels do we service?

We service kindergarten through eighth grade students, including special education students.

How are tutors chosen?

We choose our staff based upon their highly-qualified credentials and their experience in successfully working with children.

How are tutors prepared to work with the students?

Once hired, tutors go through state and federal background checks as well as drug testing. They then begin an extensive training program covering our philosophy, the overview of our program, Odyssey® software programs and methods to serve the students we serve. Weekly meetings are held with the teachers to discuss student management strategies and changes in curriculum and program overview.

What is the student-tutor ratio?

Each student is assigned a tutor who contacts them weekly.

Where and when are the services provided?

Services are provided where the student has computer and internet access and are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

What happens if the family does not have a computer or Internet connection at home?

The family can seek internet access through the local library, church, school, community center, etc.

What about the safety of using the Internet?

While we cannot guarantee that students are not able to get to the Web, therefore we encourage parents to be in a visible place while their child in utilizing any computer. Our tutors have been trained in Internet safety and can recognize when a child is not working on our program.

What is the general program of instruction provided to the students?

Students use Odyssey® developed by CompassLearning® software programs. The program is self-paced. Students are given log-in information by their tutor.

Assessment and Accountability

How are students assessed?

Our students are assessed by Odyssey® (OEA) programs.

How do we measure student growth?

We measure a student's growth by his/her increase in instructional level. We expect students to increase their instructional level by one complete level after 30 hours of instruction in each subject. We compare the IPM to the ending level of the student to determine the growth.

To what degree do current assessment measures used by Nubian Village Academy reflect state content standards?

Odyssey® are correlated to the state standards of Virginia.

Communications

What happens at the beginning of the program?

The school district's student learning plan is filled out for the student with consultation from the school, parents and a Nubian Village Academy tutor. The tutor contacts parents to discuss the program, including when the student will begin and end tutoring, as well as tutor- parent-student expectations. A district policy sheet is sent to the parents at the beginning of the program to reinforce these policies.

How is student progress communicated to parents?

Each week, the parents are called by the teacher and given a report of the student's progress. Also, a monthly report and newsletter is sent to the parents.

How is student progress communicated to the districts?

The classroom teacher is sent student progress information bi-weekly. Progress reports are sent to district coordinators and building principals, once a month.

How is attendance communicated to the parents and the district?

Attendance is communicated via the progress reports. Also, a monthly attendance log is sent to the parents for them to review and approve.

Funding & Cost of the Program

How often can the students receive the services?

Students can work on our program any day of the week, any time of day as permitted by the school district. Our minimum attendance requirement is two hours per week. Some districts set limits of how many hours per day/week the students can receive tutoring. Nubian Village Academy adheres to these limits.

What is the minimum and maximum number of students Nubian Village Academy can service in the LEA?

Because our program is individualized, we can service one student in a district or we can service one thousand.

What is needed for the students to access the services?

All that is needed is internet connection and a working computer.

What cost is there to the parent for the program?

There is no cost to the parents for the program.