In the midst of distance learning, the SCUSD district became aware of the lack of personal help students were receiving. The online tutoring service Paper became one of the reforms implemented by the SCUSD district. The main goal was to provide a digital resource for students who needed assistance but had limited access and connection to teachers.
According to the founders, Philip Cutler and Roberto Cipriani, Paper has made an impact by providing their sources in 300 or more districts throughout the nation and Canada. The tutoring service is available 24/7, allowing students to ask questions to live tutors, prepare for exams and submit written assignments for constructive feedback.
In accordance with Paper’s tutoring team, the service strives to accelerate students’ learning by providing high quality tutoring, producing student engagement for after school enrichment as well as support for future college and career pathways. In addition, Paper allows for personalized applications catered to students depending on their subjects and interests. The program provides various practices that are directed to certain subjects each student is taking or interested in.
The Paper company has said that teachers and administrators are allowed to view the progress of students, offering to display the student’s areas of improvement. With various subjects, numerous tutors are needed to compensate for the amount of students who need assistance. Vice Principal Tony Lam described his insight on the tutors involved with the tutoring service.
“Those people (tutors) are throughout the country, and it makes sense it’s on demand,” Lam said. “Anytime that someone hops on, there could be somebody, and they have to have enough tutors to be able to handle the load of questions.”
The SCHS counseling team has pushed for students to take advantage of the resource, especially for those who need extra support in their classes. For the past two years, Paper has been offered to all grade levels, but there has not been much usage.
Counselor April Anderson urges students to utilize the digital resource.
“From what I’ve heard and from the few students that have reported back to me, you can access actual live help all hours of the day, which is kind of remarkable, and you can actually submit written material and get feedback,” Anderson said.
The founders of Paper believe they have established an efficient system for students to use for various purposes, such as general classes, essays, college support and resume feedback that allow students to grow as learners. Lam shared the positive impact of implementing Paper within SCHS.
“They (the district) saw that this is a valuable source for students just coming out of Covid and decided that this is a service we want to provide to our students,” Lam said.