Published: November 21, 2008 09:39 pm         

Grant to fund after-school writing program

TERRE HAUTE — The Vigo County Education Foundation — with a generous grant from the Lumina Foundation — is funding an after-school tutoring program that focuses on writing.

The tutoring programs are being offered at Consolidated, Fayette and West Vigo elementary schools as well as West Vigo Middle School.

The Vigo County Education Foundation is committing $25,000 per year for three years toward the program, and the Lumina grant will go a long way toward meeting that first-year commitment, said Jennifer Thomas, VCEF executive director.

The after-school initiative involves four classes benefiting fifth-grade students at Consolidated, Fayette and West Vigo elementary schools and three classes for students at West Vigo Middle School.

There will be two 75-minute classes per week, and the goal is for each class to have an enrollment of about 15 students. The program will last from 18 to 22 weeks.

The writing curriculum being used focuses on science.

“Students at the four schools are fortunate to have this additional support in writing development, which is critical for college and career readiness,” said Karen Goeller, deputy superintendent.

Gail Artis, curriculum coordinator for language arts, said the goals are to improve student ISTEP scores and, eventually, their SAT scores. “It’s a tremendous program,” she said.

Consolidated School had its third session Thursday, said Principal Marsha Jones. The program will help participating students “reach their highest potential.”

The focus on science piques students’ interest, Jones said. “The kids are excited about the topics.”

West Vigo Middle School identified eighth-graders who would most benefit from the writing program, but now it will be extended to other grades, said Guy Dillard, assistant principal.

Thomas praised the Lumina Foundation for the one-year, $10,000 grant. She hopes that grant will be extended for the remaining two years of the program, which will have an evaluation component including pre- and post-testing.

“We’re hoping this will really make a major difference in education in the West Vigo area,” Thomas said.

Lumina Foundation is an Indianapolis-based private foundation dedicated to expanding access and success in education beyond high school.

The Vigo County Education Foundation was created 25 years ago to seek financial support to create new and expanded educational programs in the Vigo County School Corp.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.