Students in Central Arkansas were already lagging behind national benchmarks before the pandemic began. In 2019, only 49.17% of fifth graders in the Little Rock School District (LRSD) met the readiness standard for math. That number decreased to 34.6% in 2021, and the most current state-wide assessment data shows an alarming trend toward increased students being left behind state and national standards. Count UP matches students with trained tutors that provide a one on one math learning experience.

Count UP includes K-12 students, three paid tutors with education expertise, dozens of volunteer tutors and a full-time coordinator. Tutoring takes place using Zoom and tools like Khan Academy. Participants borrow Chromebooks, hotspots and white boards. Students receive around 10 hours of one-on-one tutoring per semester. Partners include LRSD, the City of LR and Walton Family Foundation. CALS has received $150,000 from ESSER to support this program in 2022. No other free intensive math tutoring program exists in our area.

K-12 students enrolled in the program will achieve grade-level math proficiency. Parents of enrolled students share that their students’ academic grades in math are improving. Families with students enrolled in Count UP will have frequent communication with their student’s tutor and report positive interactions. Families that could not otherwise afford to hire a one-on-one tutor for their student will not have to worry about how they will pay for this service by accessing it through the library at no cost.