The Program
ONE TO ONE began in 1989 as a collaboration between the Vancouver School Board and the Junior League of Greater Vancouver. Starting in Carleton Elementary school, the program rapidly expanded. Today, the ONE TO ONE program runs in 52 schools in Vancouver and North Vancouver and we have approximately 325 volunteer tutors.
This unique children’s program provides one on one tutoring for struggling students by well-trained volunteers who work within schools and in collaboration with classroom and resource teachers. Each school has a coordinator (typically a resource teacher or Vice-Principal) who oversees the program.
Children are identified by teachers as needing a “boost” in literacy instruction. These students spend 30 minutes, 2 to 5 times per week with a ONE TO ONE Volunteer. These are opportunities for children to practice their reading and writing in an environment where it is okay to take risks, make mistakes and learn at their own pace! Imagine what happens when a child has an adult sitting eye to eye, actively listening, and showing a child that their ideas are valuable and important!
How the partnership works:
ONE TO ONE Literacy Society:
- recruits and trains volunteers
- provides support and organization to participating schools
- undertakes ongoing fundraising and community awareness
- continues to develop and expand the program
Participating Schools and School Boards:
- provide resource staff to oversee the program at each school
- select appropriate students and evaluate their progress
- provide space int he school for the tutoring sessions