Kansas Chooses Tutor.com's Live Homework Help for Statewide HomeworkKansas Service
Governor Sebelius Supports Online Tutoring through Newly Funded Public Library Initiative
NEW YORK, NY – September 6, 2006 – As the school year kicks into high gear, the State of Kansas will now offer every Kansas resident with a library card access to expert tutors online as part of a statewide program called HomeworkKansas, announced Tutor.com, the leading provider of one-to-one learning and information services. HomeworkKansas, powered by Tutor.com's Live Homework Help service, was launched today by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius at a press conference at the Topeka-Shawnee Public Library. Students in grades 4 through 12, as well as those taking introductory college courses, can access www.homeworkkansas.org from public computers in their local library or from home PCs and connect one-to-one to an expert tutor for help in math, science, English and social studies seven days a week.
"HomeworkKansas helps level the playing field for students. It's a resource available in rural and urban areas, in libraries and at home, and can be accessed regardless of income. Young Kansans will have the assistance they need to excel in the classroom," Governor Sebelius said. "Tools such as HomeworkKansas may open the door to higher education, better jobs and economic opportunity for our students."
Funding for HomeworkKansas was made possible when the Kansas legislature approved Governor Sebelius' recommended state budget, which included new funding for this statewide library program in the State Library's budget. The effort was also supported and made possible by Kansas librarians and the Kansas Library Association.
"Service in the 21st century public library is about delivering solutions to meet the most critical needs of users," said Christie Brandau, State Librarian of Kansas. "Kansas libraries, through our HomeworkKansas program, exemplify that vision—focusing on real needs and real solutions. The State Library of Kansas is proud and pleased to have been supported by Governor Kathleen Sebelius and the Kansas Legislature to make this possible."
All 325 public libraries in Kansas will offer the service on public access computers this Fall. Any resident with a Kansas Library Card can access www.homeworkkansas.org seven days a week from 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM Central Time and connect for a one-to-one session with an expert tutor. Spanish speaking tutors are available Sunday through Thursday in math and science from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Central Time. The State Library will receive monthly reports detailing the number of students served by grade level and subject. Reports also include student-reported data from post-session surveys that rate students' Live Homework Help experience. Nationally, 95% of students say they are glad their library offers the service and would recommend it to their friends.
"Tutor.com is thrilled to be working with the State Library of Kansas and the Governor's office on this exciting statewide program," said George Cigale, founder and CEO of Tutor.com. "We know that our experience running several statewide programs with different funding and access models will ensure a successful program for Kansas libraries and families." "Kansas has some 400,000 students in grades 4 through 12. We believe that many of those students will take advantage of the service," added Brandau.
Tutor.com manages several other statewide Live Homework Help programs, including HomeworkAlabama, which launched in July 2005 with support from Alabama Governor Bob Riley. HomeworkAlabama served over 85,000 students during the last school year. With this resounding success in only its first year, HomeworkAlabama has impressed not only students and families but also libraries, teachers, schools, press and the Governor's office, which is proudly supporting the program again for the 2006-2007 school year. Tutor.com also works with Alaska, California, Kentucky and Ohio on programs supported by their State Libraries.
About Live Homework Help
Live Homework Help connects students to expert tutors via the Internet in an online classroom where the tutor and student can chat, use typing and math tools, browse the Web together, send files for review and print their session. The hope is that a direct connection to an expert tutor can help prevent everyday difficulties from becoming significant learning problems. Currently, Tutor.com works with 1,000 tutors who are certified teachers, university professors, graduate students and undergraduate students at accredited colleges and universities and other professionals who are experts in their fields. All Live Homework Help tutors are rigorously trained through The Tutor.com Tutor Certification Program, ensuring high standards for safety, quality and expertise. They successfully complete a comprehensive application process, which includes submitting a résumé and several tutoring samples as well as receive a third-party background check and have their educational background verified.
About Tutor.com
Tutor.com is the leading provider of one-to-one learning and information solutions for libraries, educational institutions and individuals. Tutor.com's flagship service, Live Homework Help, is currently offered at 1,500 library and afterschool sites across the U.S. and Canada. Using innovative technology, Tutor.com's suite of services allows users to get one-to-one help online from expert tutors and professional librarians where and when they need it. These highly personalized services are supported with superior training, communications, tracking and reporting features and customer service and support. To learn more about Tutor.com's services and for a complete client list, please visit Tutor.com. For an in-depth look at our clients' experiences with our flagship service, Live Homework Help, please go to stg-www.tutor.com/libraries.