The Tutorial Service

The NEKLS tutorial program has been approved by the Vermont Department of Education as a tutorial program qualified to provide tutorials authorized under the No Child Left Behind Act.  The program complies with all applicable state and federal regulations.

The tutorial program operates three service components; an assessment component, a unit geared to meeting the needs of private individuals and a component that focuses on services to public and private organizations.  Tutorial program services are available throughout Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties as well as in selected regions throughout Vermont.

NEKLS tutorials are primarily educational; although NEKLS may accept contracts for the provision of services to individuals with mentoring, work ethic, behavioral or vocational support needs.  Tutorials are available to persons of any age.  Instructional delivery options are varied.  NEKLS delivers tutorials on an individual or small group basis.  On-site instruction is delivered at sites agreed upon by NEKLS and the contractor.  Delivery sties include; in-school, at post-secondary facilities, employer sites, NEKLS centers, social service provider sites, libraries or similar sites, detention facilities or in private homes.  Instruction is available during school/work hours, evenings and on Saturdays.

For individuals contracting for instructional services, generally an individual service plan is developed by the NEKLS coordinator and the student.  The plan sets goals, establishes timelines, specifies the services and delivery sites and identifies transitional support needs.  This plan is incorporated into a contract which also establishes the service fees and identifies any special cost items.

Organizations seeking instructional or other tutorial services also enter into a contract.  Contracts can be for services to a single individual or for tutorials to be delivered to a number of individuals referred by the organization at different times during the term of the contract.  Usually, fees are based upon a per instructional hour rate.  Travel and materials requirements are identified and reimbursement rates agreed upon.  Meeting time and report writing time is billed at the hourly rate.  After the contract has been finalized, an NEKLS tutor will meet with the person designated by contracting organization to coordinate services and referrals.  They will establish the services to be delivered, the site and any special circumstances such as accommodations.  The NEKLS tutor will submit progress reports to the organization’s coordinator on a regular and emergency basis.  Parental involvement and consent to services generally is coordinated by the contracting organization.  All service records are considered confidential and may only be released in accordance with the NEKLS records management procedure and applicable state and federal standards.  NEKLS will draft performance reports as required by contracting organizations for purposes of state/federal/other reporting or audit.

The NEKLS assessment unit offers individuals and organizations a variety of options for determining current educational status, work readiness, test readiness, achievement, developmental status, professional/technical certificate, licensure mastery, social/personal support skills readiness and readiness for successful entry into and completion of vocational and/or post secondary programs.

Available assessments include; G.E.D. pre-tests and testing, ACT Work Center assessments, WorkKeys and a variety of cognitive, achievement, developmental and abilities testing instruments.  Most ability, achievement, cognitive and developmental testing is conducted by licensed professionals under contract to NEKLS. 

Videoconferencing and other distance learning options also are available through the tutorial program.  Videoconferencing is an important option for consideration when developing service plans for homebound students.