Academic Learner Support

Academic Support Counseling

Academic Support Counseling is an essential service that is offered to all SBLC in class learners who are enrolled in our GED classes. When learners first enter our program and take the placement test, some have initial anxieties about returning to school.  The Academic Support Counselor helps support learners to work through some of those doubts and barriers providing encouragement and resources to help them navigate. With the support of a team, the Academic Support Counselor also conducts case management with instructors providing plans that will help our learners ultimately succeed. In an effort to keep learners engaged, quarterly retention activities are implemented that reflect a session theme. It is most gratifying to see a learner move forward in the program, and ultimately receive his or her High School Diploma

One-to-One Tutoring

This program, designed for individuals with very basic reading skills, pairs a learner with a trained volunteer to work on introductory reading and writing skills at a level and pace best suited to the learner’s needs. All tutoring volunteers go through an initial training and receive follow up support by the Volunteer Coordinator, the Director of Education and the Instructional Specialist. Learner progress is followed by assessments when at least 40 hours of instruction has taken place. Once learners are ready, they may transition to a beginning level class while continuing with their tutor until they feel confident with classes. Many techniques are used, to find the best suited to the learning style, personality and needs of the individual. Hands on, multi-sensory materials are available and encouraged. Tutoring, and beginning level classes, are free. For more information, please contact Phena Long at plong@southbaltimorelearns.org.

Drop-in Tutoring

The Drop-in Tutor Lab is designed to give all learners currently in our program the opportunity for extra help on their way to a Maryland high school diploma. Volunteers and Staff make themselves available at designated times during the week for learners to “drop by” for extra help. Learners are required to bring homework or other material that they need help with to the lab. Our instructors and education staff strongly encourage all learners to utilize the Drop-in Tutor Lab to make up time or to get more individualize instruction. The Drop-in Tutor Lab is one of many tools learners have access to for achieving their goals.