The College Reading and Learning Association (CLRA) recently certified Del Mar College’s Peer- Tutoring program for an initial one-year cycle, which ends May 31, 2013. Accreditation from the association authorizes tutor-training programs such as the College’s program to issue CRLA certificates to individual tutors who have met guidelines and requirements addressing tutor selection, training, experience and evaluation. 

The College’s Peer-Tutoring program is one of more than 800 programs at U.S. post-secondary institutions that are currently certified through CRLA’s International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC). More information about ITTPC is available at www.crla.net/ittpc/index.htm.

CRLA reviewers noted that DMC’s Peer-Tutoring program is “well-organized” and “exceeds all requirements for (Level I) certification.”

DMC’s Peer-Tutoring program offers a range of student support options, including drop-in tutoring and group tutoring sessions in a variety of subjects in the Student Success Center on the East Campus and in the Emerging Technology Building on the West Campus. The program also offers Web-based services that can be found at www.delmar.edu/ptc/index.html.

Bob Klepac, DMC Tutor Support Services Coordinator, says that while the Peer-Tutoring program has been available at the College for a number of years, student usage soared after the program moved to the Student Success Center in 2010.

“The Peer-Tutoring program has helped more than 8,700 students seeking help in many academic disciplines in the past two years,” Klepac says. “This is a significant increase compared to the pre-Student Success Center days when the program served just a few hundred students.”

Klepac adds that the Peer-Tutoring program hires up to 30 peer tutors for fall and spring semesters and about 15 for summer sessions. While the program offers support for core courses in math, history and English, tutors are also available for specialized classes covering anatomy and physiology, nursing and accounting. 

The College’s Peer-Tutoring program has completed the first stage of a three-stage ITTPC process. Stage 2, dubbed “Reflection and Renewal Certification,” is good for three years upon approval by reviewers. Stage 3 re-certification requires a re-certification application and program review; and upon approval, re-certification is good for five years.   

Level 1 certification requirements for tutors involves a minimum of 10 hours of training in at least eight topic areas ranging from basic tutoring guidelines to role modeling to compliance with the ethics and philosophy of the tutor program. Additionally, peer tutors must have earned an “A” in the course for which they assist other students and also have 25 hours of actual tutoring experience.

Additional ITTPC certification levels are Advanced Certified Tutor and Master Certified Tutor. Each level requires an additional 10 hours of training and 25 hours of tutoring experience, the CRLA notes on its Website.