Tutors Sought for High School Students

The Oxnard Union High School District will expand a tutoring program it operates in conjunction with Oxnard College to include two additional high schools this year, prompting a need for tutors.

Last year 20 students from Oxnard College participated in the program, which served as many as 1,140 students at Channel Islands High. This year the program will expand to include Oxnard and Frontier high schools.

The program is designed to benefit incoming freshmen who need additional help in math or English, said Beryle Brinkman, assistant to the Office of Economic Development at Oxnard College.

“When they get one-on-one attention from tutors, it boosts their confidence and, as a result, many times their grades increase,” Brinkman said.

One reason for the high school students’ improved morale, according to Brinkman, is that the college students also act as mentors to their younger peers. She described the program as a “win-win” situation since it aids high school students and allows college students to gain experience at the same time.

The program was honored with the “Partners in Education” award from the Ventura County chapter of the Assn. of California School Administrators.

“We look forward to recruiting and training quality tutors who will serve as ambassadors and role models to high school students throughout the communities of Ventura County,” Brinkman said.

College students interested in becoming tutors must attend a mandatory orientation Sept. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the President’s Telecommunications Conference Room at Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave. The hourly student tutorial rate starts at $7.

Students must also be enrolled in a minimum of six units at Oxnard College and have a minimum proficiency in intermediate math and English, with a grade B or higher in both subjects. Bilingual skills are preferred.

For more information, call Brinkman at 986-5831.