NEW ULM — New Ulm Public Schools is in need of five literacy tutors and two math tutors for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year, according to Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps.

As part of a statewide call for 1,700 Minnesota tutors, Minnesota Reading Corps and Math Corps — an education arm of Americorps Minnesota — has awarded the seven tutor positions to the district.

Becky Otis, a Minnesota Reading and Math Corps recruiter, said two literacy tutor positions are needed at Washington Learning Center, three at Jefferson Elementary and two math tutors at New Ulm Middle School (NUMS).

Otis said they are searching for passionate, motivated individuals that want to offer their assistance and influence in the educational milestones of their community’s students. She said tutors seek not only data improvement, but improvement in a student’s academic confidence as well.

According to a press release from Americorps Minnesota, the tutor positions are both full- or part-time positions that begin this fall with varying levels of commitment at 35, 25 or 18 hours a week. Tutors receive a payment stipend every two weeks, and can earn up to an additional $4,200 for student loans or tuition, which can be gifted to a family member if the tutor is 55 years or older.

Otis said tutor positions are awarded to schools within districts after Minnesota Reading and Math Corps evaluates the district’s MCA scores, student population and teacher evaluations among a few.

According to the Minnesota Department of Education, nearly 50 percent of students at NUMS are proficient in mathematic academic standards in 2018. 60.8 percent of students at the middle school are proficient in reading standards.

As a district total, 53 percent of students are meeting mathematics standards and 58.3 percent are meeting reading standards in 2018.

Otis said one in three third-graders is not reading at their grade level and many eighth graders aren’t able to do basic math. She said the reading aspect for students is important because between first and third grade, students are learning to read, and then afterwards are reading to learn.

According to data from The Nation’s Report Card and the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Minnesota has one of the largest achievement gaps in the nation, heightening the need for literacy and math tutors in schools.

Math and literacy tutors are fully trained by Minnesota Math and Reading Corps. Tutors may come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from high school graduates to retirees.

For more information on Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps, or to apply for a tutor position, visit www.minnesotareadingcorps.org and www.minnesotamathcorps.org.

Gage Cureton can be emailed at gcureton@nujournal.com.