Say Yes Guilford is partnering with Guilford County Schools to make the Helping Early Learners with Practice Strategies program available to improve reading proficiency for elementary students

The HELPS tutoring program proved successful in its first semester in Guilford County Schools.

Students at McLeansville and Northwood Elementary schools began working with HELPS tutors early last fall, and mid-year assessments determined every participating student had improved in reading. In December, Say Yes Guilford expanded the HELPS program to include the D-Up program with plan to expand to even more schools in the fall.

  • 100% of GCS students participating in the HELPS program displayed growth.
  • Of those assessed with Beginning of Year & Middle of Year assessment, 67% of students receiving HELPS exceeded expected growth.
  • Six students had a MOY score that is Above Benchmark for current grade level and were transitioned out of the program.
  • Three students had a MOY score that is At Benchmark for current grade level; these students reduced tutoring to two times per week.
  • All other students had a MOY score that is Below or Well Below Benchmark for current grade level and will continue tutoring.
  • Say Yes Guilford added additional students at each site in February due to students transitioning out of the program and an increased number of trained tutors.

Say Yes Guilford is partnering with Greensboro College, GTCC and N.C. A&T and have trained 25 work-study students in HELPS to work in Guilford County Schools. Amanda Rosemann, Say Yes Guilford Senior Vice President of Development and Community Relations says the work-study students add even more value to each tutoring session.

“Our elementary students can see themselves in these college students,” said Rosemann. “We believe these mentors will not only help GCS students improve their reading skills, but also inspire them to set exciting career and college goals.”

All data is reported as aggregate data across our tutoring sites in order to protect individual student data. HELPS tutoring is suspended due to stay-at-home orders. Work continues to expand the program in the 2020-21 school year.

Say Yes Guilford continues to support our scholars in college and high school seniors applying for scholarships through phone calls, emails and via our website, sayyesguilford.org. Since its inception, Say Yes Guilford has awarded over $8.6 million to GCS graduates, and our partnership with over 100 private colleges and universities provided another $11.3 million for a total impact of over $20 million.

Say Yes Guilford is committed to providing access to support services and scholarships designed to prepare Guilford County Schools’ students for success in college, career and life.

Photos: Say Yes Guilford HELPS tutors working with students at D-Up in High Point this spring.