Districts can apply for up to $500,000 in grants for tutoring stipends

Applications are being accepted through Nov. 12 for TEA's TCLAS grant program, High Quality Afterschool Supports, which provides up to $500,000 in funding to pay for tutor and teacher stipends if a school district offers a high-impact tutoring program as part of its after-school program.

According to TEA’s overview document, and High-Quality After School FAQ, school districts interested in offering a “high-impact tutoring” program can apply for TCLAS funds under Option A.

A HIT model goes above and beyond HB 4545 requirements and includes the following attributes:

• At least 30-minute tutoring sessions, 3x a week
• Individualized support in small group settings (1:3 staff to student ratio max.)
• High-quality instructional materials aligned to standards and core classwork
• Well-trained, consistent tutors who build strong relationships with students
• Data-driven with tutors building sessions around student strengths and needs

Per TEA’s overview, the TCLAS funding for districts pursuing Option A includes stipends for tutors, teachers and other educators as follows:

Available Supports:

• Stipends for Tutors, Teachers or Other Educators Leading HIT
  • Spring 2022: # of students x expected tutor cost for half an academic year
  • 22-23: # of students x expected tutor cost for an academic year
  • 23-24: # of students x expected tutor cost for an academic year

Note:

• Stipends calculated based on number of participating students that can be served in one after-school day by one tutor meeting the requirements of the 1:3 tutor: student HIT ratio.
  • Award Calculation: # of students divided by 15 students served p/day x tutor cost/year
  • ($50/hr x 3 hrs/day x 90 days/year (or 45 days/ half year))

Per TEA’s High-Quality After School FAQ, TCLAS High-Quality After School grantees can use existing staff for tutoring (see FAQ #45).

Additionally, per TEA, the maximum grant award for districts without a separate TCLAS tutoring grant awards is $500,000 (for districts with an existing TCLAS tutoring grant award, the maximum award for tutor stipends as part of the new after school program grant is $200,000).