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Tech-Link tutoring at Kump Education Center

Kump Education Center “Tech-Link Tutoring” will offer Randolph County students high-speed internet and tech-savvy coaching for online learning. This unusual intervention is the result of collaboration between Kump Education Center, Randolph County Schools, Davis & Elkins College, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Many West Virginia students were disadvantaged by the “Digital Divide” long before COVID-19 because they lacked computer devices and broadband internet at home. When the coronavirus forced schools to close in March, few school systems were prepared to shift from in-person to online learning, but students and teachers in our large, underfunded county were at a greater disadvantage than most.

Students lost academic progress during the spring and may face a second wave of Covid-19 this fall. In order to encourage social distancing, the WV Board of Education has suggested that students should be scheduled in school on alternate days and use computer devices to work at home. Randolph County has gotten a grant to provide Chromebooks for all students. Teachers will help students download assignments on their devices when they are in school, and they will work at home.

Much work has gone into planning for the fall schedule. Starting September 8th Randolph County Schools will be closed one day a week for scrupulous cleaning, and the remainder of the week will be split. Students with last names beginning in A-L will go two days a week; then students with names beginning in M-Z will go the last two days of the week. Blended families will be able to send all students in one household on the same two days. Some students will have no adults at home to help them with online learning. Those who need tech support will be identified by their teachers and referred to KEC by September 18. Tech-Link coaching will be available in the Altice Learning Lab at KEC. Students will be assigned times to work with tutors after school, on the weekly cleaning days, or on Saturdays.

By Sept. 18 teachers will identify students who could benefit from Tech-Link Tutoring and Parent Consent Letters will be sent home. Davis & Elkins College students will have background checks, and training to serve as tutors.

They will begin meeting with individual students at Kump Education Center by early October using good social distancing practices and personal protective gear against Covid-19. Tutoring sessions will be scheduled after school and buses will deliver students to KEC. If needed, other tutoring appointments may be scheduled.

The fall tutoring sessions will end Nov. 21 when college students will take exams and go home for their Thanksgiving and Christmas Break. Special tutoring sessions may be available by appointment Dec. 1-15.

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