The Wake County Public School system is working with community organizations to combat students' learning loss during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Learning loss is real. Test scores have declined," said parent Becky Lew-Hobbs.

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Kimberly Matsune, who has a rising third and sixth grader in the school system, said she saw the effects of learning loss firsthand.

Matsune said virtual learning was the only option for her immunocompromised family.

"The largest impact it had on our children was just the disconnect between the actual written assignments and feedback from teachers," said Matsune.

On Tuesday, the school system said it would "strengthen, expand and align" enrichment, tutor and other learning opportunities for students.

The YMCA of the Triangle will be the lead partner in the collaboration, but other organizations involved include:

  • WAKE Up and Read Campaign for Grade Level Reading partners
    • Read and Feed, Communities in Schools,
      • The Daniel Center,
        • Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County
          • WakeEd Partnership
            • The City of Raleigh

              In a release, WCPSS said YMCA will be the lead partner in collaboration with the HELPS Education Fund. Helping Early Literacy with Practice Strategies (HELPS) is described as "an evidence-based program that aims to strengthen students’ reading fluency through one-on-one tutoring and small-group instruction."

              WCPSS school leaders said many elementary schools in the system have already been using the HELPS program since 2021.

              "As we assess our current capacity and build for the future, the HELPS program partnership will focus on students in grades 2-5 identified as having a particular need in reading fluency," a release said.

              The program includes providing students with one-on-one or small group tutoring in reading.

              "As an important compliment to rigorous standards-aligned instruction taking place in our classrooms, we fully expect high-dosage tutoring can and will have a positive impact on student outcomes," said Drew Cook, the assistant superintendent for academics at WCPSS.

              School leaders said additional volunteers will be needed to help with the collaboration. Volunteers will need to commit to the work at least once a week. Additional information will be provided on the program and how to volunteer in the coming months, school leaders said.

              Other school systems in central North Carolina using a similar model of high-dosage tutoring include Cumberland, Durham, and Johnston.

              YMCA of the Triangle said they're hoping to expand access in September.