Return to Headlines
Posted on: 12/16/24
National tutoring thought leaders observed Heart Math Tutoring (HMT) on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Blythe Elementary School. Representatives also took part in a panel discussion on the subject, highlighting tutoring best practices and noting the impact tutoring has on students’ academic achievement, as well as building their confidence.
Representatives from Accelerate, an organization that supports models of tutoring and individualized instruction, and the Center for Research and Reform in Education (CRRE) at Johns Hopkins University pointed out that individualized tutoring can lead to academic growth in math.
“We are excited to provide Heart Math and CMS with the opportunity to gain additional insights about their program and its effectiveness,” said Amanda Neitzel, Ph.D., director of research at the CRRE at Johns Hopkins University. “High-dosage tutoring is still the most effective intervention for students, and it’s a pleasure to work with an organization like Heart Math that is so clearly committed to continuous improvement.”
In 2023, HMT received a $250,000 Promise Grant from Accelerate to make high-impact tutoring a standard feature of the American school day. HMT has used the grant to further scale the tutoring program in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and to expand tutoring programs to other regions of North Carolina. HMT was selected for the Promise Grant because of its commitment to developing and scaling a research-backed tutoring model that improves outcomes for all students, especially those in historically underserved communities.
“Across the country, we see the necessity for strong district partnerships to stand up effective in-school tutoring programs,” said Kimberly Ueyama, chief of staff at Accelerate. “Heart Math’s deep ties to CMS and commitment to add value to school teams ensures that tutoring reaches the students who need it most.”
HMT has partnered with CMS since 2013 and operates in 23 district elementary schools, offering in-person and virtual opportunities. Hundreds of volunteer tutors provide one-on-one, targeted support and encouragement to students, resulting in 97% of the more than 6,400 students served to date meeting growth goals set with guidance from CMS curriculum specialists and math specialists from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
“Our partnerships with Accelerate and JHU connect Heart Math to a national conversation about the need for high-dosage tutoring that focuses on math,” said Emily Gaffney, CEO of HMT. “The effectiveness of tutoring at Blythe Elementary is emblematic of what happens when we work alongside school, district, community and philanthropic leaders to do what’s best for our kids.”
HMT implemented an Expanded Learning Program pilot in the 2023-24 school year and provided 31 students at Merry Oaks International Academy with additional tutoring support by connecting the HMT curriculum to their classroom grade-level standards. Those students met fall to spring MAP growth targets at a higher rate than non-Heart students. This pilot is now in seven district schools, including Blythe and Merry Oaks, for the current school year. The other schools are Mint Hill, Newell and Pinewood elementary schools, Starmount Academy of Excellence and Westerly Hills Academy.
With support from the philanthropic community, HMT, which is sponsored by Jane’s Fund, provides the tutoring programming at no cost to families.
Emily Gaffney (far left), CEO of Heart Math Tutoring, moderates a panel discussion on tutoring. (Left to Right: Amanda Neitzel, Ph.D., director of research at the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University; Milagro Chavez-Cisneros, director of programming at Accelerate and Jordan Porfilio, Senior Program Manager- Curriculum and Innovation with Heart Math Tutoring.
