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America Counts
The America Counts program at SF State was launched in 1998. The program focuses on elementary and middle school students who are struggling with their math skills. Statistics indicate that American childrens' math skills are comparable to their international contemporaries until they reach the middle grades. Under President Bill Clinton’s administration, America Counts math tutoring programs are able to employ Federal Work-Study students without any cost to community partnership sites or to the parents of the children being tutored. The goal of the program is to help build a strong mathematical foundation for students and in so doing, ensure greater college success and access to careers in a growing technological market.
During the 2006-07 academic year, SF State's America Counts program:
• Employed 28 student tutors
• Served nine elementary school sites
• Assisted approximately 390 students
• Performed 4,334 hours of service
SF State Students reflections on the program:
Tutor: Victoria Aguilar, School Site: Marshall Elementary
"From working at Marshall Elementary, I am learning that I actually love working with children and am considering changing my career to teaching. The students' reactions make me want to continue fighting for a better and safer environment for them."
Tutor: Kate Belkap, School Site: Dianne Feinstein Elementary
"I realized how much I really do enjoy working with young children, and after spending two semesters working with kids, I found that it is something that I could see myself doing as a future career. My perspective has also changed enormously through this experience. I never understood what an amazing thing it is to teach."
Tutor: Francis Mead, School Site: Cesar Chavez
"The broader social issues that affect the population I serve are centered around the social barriers of race and class. I have learned how dedicated I am to social justice through the experience I had working at Caesar Chavez Elementary. I love the sense of community you get at the school, as well as in the Si Se Puede after school program. I feel like I have a positive impact on the children and it motivates me assist other populations in need."
Tutor: Eli Ness, School Site: Visitacion Valley Elementary
"The families of Visitacion Valley Elementary are raising children in very dangerous and frightening environment. Teachers there emphasize the importance of “making good choices,” because it is the case that their choices in life are of rather narrow scope, and the value of learning will either be understood by the time they reach 5th grade or we have collectively failed. There is so much goodness in Visitation Valley."
We are always looking for students and faculty who are interested in getting involved in this project. For more information, please email Adam Calmenson at abcsf@sfsu.edu.
