Sherrill, Scutari, Ruiz, Union County Commissioners, and Kean University Come Together to Highlight the Importance of Quality Tutoring Initiatives
UNION, NJ – Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Senate President Nicholas Scutari (LD-22), Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (LD-29), and the Union County Board of County Commissioners visited Kean University to underscore the importance of high-impact tutoring programs in combating pandemic-related learning loss, supporting New Jersey students, and expanding the education workforce.
Sherrill’s bipartisan Expanding Access to High-Impact Tutoring Actwould help to complement statewide tutoring initiatives championed by Scutari and Ruiz, like the High Impact Tutoring Grant program and the NJ Tutoring Corps, aimed at providing quality tutoring resources to school districts. Recently, Kean University has implemented an innovative tutoring program to help students stay on track in their studies while training aspiring teachers.
“New Jersey is home to the best public school system in the nation and, as a mom of four, I’m committed to ensuring that every student, in every school district and zip code, can reap the benefits of their Garden State education. That’s why I am proud to work with leaders like Senate President Scutari, Majority Leader Ruiz, and the incredible educators and student tutors at Kean University to expand access to high-quality tutoring for New Jerseyans of all ages and backgrounds. I will continue to work to get my Expanding Access to High-Impact Tutoring Act across the finish line to bring back additional federal funding to enact tutoring programs that will help our children get ahead,” said Rep. Sherrill.
“Tutoring is more than an educational resource. It is an investment in our shared future. By helping students recover from pandemic-related learning loss, high-impact tutoring programs are closing achievement gaps and giving our children the tools they need to succeed in life. When our students thrive, our communities thrive,” said Senate President Nicholas Scutari.
“In New Jersey, over half of third graders are not reading at grade level, and the data is even more troubling for students of color, with 73.6% of Black and 72.5% of Latino third graders falling short. We are at a critical juncture and must have bold, innovative conversations about how we educate our children,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “Academic success leads to better career outcomes and a higher quality of life. If we provide every child, regardless of ZIP code, with the opportunity to reach their potential, we can secure them a brighter future. We’ve made significant state-level investments, and collaboration with Congress will enhance these efforts. I thank Congresswoman Sherrill for her steadfast partnership as we expand high-impact tutoring, close achievement gaps, and strengthen the foundation for our students’ success.”
“As we take this significant step forward with the Managed Peer-to-Peer Tutoring initiative, I am proud to see our vision becoming a reality. This program, developed through strong partnerships between our Union County Commissioner Board with Kean University and key leaders like Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and Senator Teresa Ruiz, is designed to address the learning challenges our students faced due to the pandemic,” said Union County Commissioner Sergio Granados. “By connecting students with their peers, we aim to create a supportive and effective learning environment that will not only help them recover but excel. Together, we are building a sustainable model for academic success and community connection in Union County.”
“As New Jersey’s urban research university, Kean is deeply committed to providing the critical support students need to thrive, from Pre-K through higher education,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “We were honored to welcome Congresswoman Sherrill, along with state and county leaders, to our campus to discuss vital tutoring initiatives that will address post-pandemic learning loss. These initiatives are crucial to creating an equitable path to success for students of all backgrounds across New Jersey.”
Sherrill has long been a leader in supporting New Jersey’s education system and protecting our children and teens. As a former member of the House Education and Labor Committee, she fought hard to support the American Rescue Plan, which helped our students return to the classroom and is continuing to fund tutoring initiatives across New Jersey. Additionally, she is fighting to hold social media companies accountable with the Kids Online Safety Act and the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act.
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