Birmingham, Alabama, October 27, 2025
News Summary
United Way of Central Alabama is in search of tutors to support Birmingham City Schools’ high-dosage tutoring program for students in grades six through twelve. With an aim to hire 65 tutors, the initiative focuses on improving reading and math skills and offers competitive hourly pay along with professional development opportunities. A recruiting session is set for August 22 at Carver High School, welcoming applicants regardless of educational background. This program aims to mitigate learning loss caused by the pandemic and has shown promising results in student performance.
Birmingham, Alabama – The United Way of Central Alabama is actively seeking tutors to support Birmingham City Schools’ high-dosage tutoring program aimed at students in grades six through twelve. The program focuses on enhancing reading and math skills, with an aim to hire upwards of 65 tutors to facilitate this initiative.
Katrina Watson, the Senior VP of Community Impact for United Way, indicated the significance of investing in children’s education. Tutors will benefit from flexibility in their working hours, ranging between five to twenty hours a week, with compensation set at $15 an hour. Additionally, the program will provide professional development classes to tutors, focusing on key areas such as professionalism and workplace operations.
Constance Blaylock, a School Improvement Specialist, noted that having tutors who are relatively close in age to the students they assist can greatly enhance the tutoring experience. Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Mark Sullivan expressed hope that the program would encourage students to consider higher education as a viable option.
The partnership between United Way and Birmingham City Schools is also significant for its mentorship potential, connecting college students with high school students. A recruiting session for potential tutors is scheduled for August 22 at Carver High School, and applications for tutoring positions are currently open with an accessible link available online.
This tutoring program was initiated in response to the learning loss encountered due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been operating successfully for four years. Participating colleges include UAB, Samford, Miles College, Lawson State, and Jefferson State. The tutoring sessions are designed to be small and conducted during the school day to prevent disruption to students’ schedules.
Reports indicate an improvement in both reading and math scores among students who have participated in the tutoring sessions. The program also provides valuable work experience for student-tutors, with many transitioning into full-time teaching roles post-completion. Last year alone, tutors averaged 7,000 academic hours and facilitated nearly 200 tutoring sessions.
Notably, Birmingham City Schools ranks first in mathematics recovery in Alabama and seventh nationally. The program invites applicants with no prior education background—what matters is a willingness to help. This initiative also promotes diversity and fosters collaboration among participants from various backgrounds.
Key Features of the High-Dosage Tutoring Program
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Target Audience | Students in grades 6-12 |
| Position Availability | Up to 65 tutors |
| Pay Rate | $15 per hour |
| Weekly Hours | 5 to 20 hours |
| Professional Development | Classes focusing on professionalism and workplace operations |
| Recruitment Session | August 22 at Carver High School |
| Established | Response to learning loss from COVID-19 pandemic, running for 4 years |
| Participating Colleges | UAB, Samford, Miles College, Lawson State, Jefferson State |
| Performance Statistics | Averaged 7,000 academic hours and nearly 200 sessions in the last year |
| Improvement Rankings | 1st in mathematics recovery in Alabama; 7th nationwide |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the focus of the tutoring program?
The program focuses on enhancing reading and math skills for students in grades six through twelve.
2. How many tutors does Birmingham City Schools aim to hire?
Birmingham City Schools aims to hire upwards of 65 tutors.
3. What is the pay rate for tutors?
Sorry, tutors will be paid at a rate of $15 per hour.
4. When is the recruiting session for tutors?
United Way of Central Alabama will host a recruiting session on August 22 at Carver High School.
5. Do tutors need a teaching background to apply?
No prior education background is required to apply for tutoring positions, just a willingness to help.
6. What has been the impact of the program?
Reports indicate improved reading and math scores among participating students, with tutors averaging 7,000 academic hours and nearly 200 sessions last year.
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Additional Resources
- WBRC: Birmingham City Schools Partners with United Way to Hire Tutors
- Wikipedia: Tutoring
- ABC3340: United Way and Birmingham City Schools Tackle Learning Loss
- Google Search: Birmingham City Schools Tutoring
- CBS42: Birmingham City Schools and United Way Partner for Free Tutoring
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Bham Now: Birmingham College Students Get Paid to be Tutors
- Google News: Birmingham Tutoring Initiative
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
