Education tutoring program expands in Madison

The SHAPE tutoring program in the School of Education has more than doubled its enrollment and expanded to an additional site in Madison’s schools.

SHAPE, which stands for Students Helping in the Advancement of Public Education, combines an academic seminar with practical experience tutoring in Madison schools. Established in 1997 as a pilot effort, the program grew out of a suggestion by the Civil Rights Defense Coalition for increasing diversity on campus. The program attracts undergraduates from all over campus, many of whom do not plan careers in teaching. Last fall SHAPE received a three-year grant from UW–Madison alumni Mary and Ted Kellner of Mequon. The gift allowed enrollment in the seminar to grow from 20 to almost 50, and expanded the program from Lincoln and Midvale elementary schools to a third site, Cherokee Heights Middle School.

At Cherokee, the tutors are divided into three squadrons. One group serves as “reading buddies” to sixth-graders; another provides math tutoring in eighth grade; and a third offers homework assistance after the school day has ended.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to have them here,” says Jessica Doyle, the learning coordinator at Cherokee. “They are an enjoyable group to work with, and they have been very effective with our students. I think it’s a wonderful example of how the university and public schools can cooperate.”

The Kellner gift also will fund a systematic evaluation of the tutoring program. It will be conducted by Marianne (Mimi) Bloch, the professor of curriculum and instruction who teaches the SHAPE seminar, and a graduate student.