San Diego Oasis Tutors help students improve test scores in reading and math while opening the doors for seniors to put their life skills to work for a younger generation.

“Over nearly two decades, Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring has consistently improved students’ reading ability, academic performance and attitudes about learning. The program taps the tremendous potential of committed volunteers who have the time, patience and life experience to make a profound difference in the lives of children,” said John Dunnicliff, Intergenerational Tutoring Volunteer Coordinator. “Each tutor is paired with a Title One elementary school student, one-on-one, once a week, for an hour, throughout an entire year with the same student.  We call it the “grandparent” effect.”

One on One Tutoring Works

Samantha missed 100 days of kindergarten and was now behind in learning in the second grade. She hid behind long bangs over her brow and initially would not make eye contact. Her parents were going through a divorce and she was not coping well. Chris, a San Diego Oasis tutor, was assigned to Samantha for help with her reading.  Ironically, Chris had a similar experience with parents divorcing.  She even wrote a book about her feelings as a child growing up with a harsh step-father in post-war Germany titled “A Bucketful of Love.”

Chris started to talk to Samantha, share and read with her. In just a few months, Samantha was making progress. She proved to be bright and sociable. Now, she has her hand up eager to answer questions and she even pulled her hair back. In Measures of Academic Success testing administered by the school, she achieved an astonishing increase in test scores of twenty points! Typical student progress throughout the year is eight points for that grade and age group. The teacher was stunned and grateful to our Oasis tutor for helping Samantha thrive.

Finding the right match for tutor and student equals success

Tyler, a fourth grader, told his teacher that he didn’t like school and he didn’t like books.
The teacher counseled an Oasis tutor that Tyler didn’t have a father at home, and unfortunately an unstable mother.

Al, a San Diego Oasis tutor, was able to gain Tyler’s confidence when he discovered his interest in how mechanical things work – cars, planes, and electronic toys. Ironically, Al is a retired engineer who was able to share his knowledge of how mechanical things work to engage Tyler in conversation. They could speak the same “language.” Eventually, Tyler began to improve in reading, language, and math to achieve significant test score increases!

The principal of the school that Samantha and Tyler attend is convinced that inviting San Diego Oasis into the school for tutoring is a considerable factor in receiving a considerable 32% increase in Academic Performance Index results this year for overall performance. Moreover, most volunteers who participate in the program enjoy the one-to-one interaction and value it as a life-changing experience both for the students and the tutors.

Learn more about becoming an Oasis tutor.