ND Math Corps

In North Dakota, more than 50 percent of eighth graders are not proficient in math. This is a troubling statistic, as success in eighth-grade algebra is a key predictor of students’ success in high school, college, and beyond. 

In 2020, the team behind North Dakota Reading Corps launched Math Corps, a tutoring program that pairs the power of mentorship with evidence-based math interventions, in an effort to close this achievement gap. 

“Schools utilize data to identify students who need supplemental support,” said Jolene Garty, Director of Student Services at SEEC. “Tutors then work with these students until they make enough progress to close that gap.”

Math Corps tutors are AmeriCorps members who have signed up for a year of service. While some tutors have a background in education, it is not a requirement; tutors may be recent college graduates, stay-at-home parents, or anyone in between with a passion for helping kids succeed.

Because tutors are community members, not school staff, Math Corps is able to have a significant impact on students without placing any additional burden on schools. Additionally, all materials, assessments, and coaching comes directly from Math Corps. 

Each trained Math Corps tutor meets multiple times a week with small groups of students in grades 4-8 who are just below grade-level proficiency in math, based on their performance on the state accountability test. Together, tutors and students work through evidence-based interventions focused on improving conceptual understanding, computational proficiency, and word problem solving.

By blending science with service, Math Corps is putting students on the path to success. 

In its first year, North Dakota Math Corps provided 78 students with a combined 134, 095 minutes of tutoring. 59 percent of students improved broad-based math skills, while 79 percent made growth on Fact Fluency skills.