Assumption College Announces Efforts to Improve the MCAS scores of Worcester Public School Students

Worcester, MA- In a recent speech, Lt. Governor Jane Swift called for colleges in the state to help students prepare for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Exams. Assumption College has taken on this challenge by hosting the newly developed SUCCESS Program. To help in their efforts to tutor for MCAS, Assumption College has received an $18,000 grant from the Massachusetts Campus Compact.

The SUCCESS Program is the result of collaboration between Plumley Village, Worcester East Middle School, and the Colleges of Worcester Consortium. The program will meet twice a week for twenty weeks. A total of 40 seventh- and eighth- grade students will come to Assumption College for two hours a day to work on math and English and will also be asked to take part in a service project. Through participation and cooperation the SUCCESS Program hopes to not only prepare the students for the MCAS, but also teach them the importance of community service.

The SUCCESS Program began as a pilot program last January. Work-study students from Assumption tutored and mentored 25 students. Those who took part in the program were residents of Plumley Village and were enrolled in Worcester East Middle School.

SUCCESS tutoring sessions are scheduled for Monday-Thursday afternoons, from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

NOTE TO EDITORIAL STAFF: If you would like to schedule a photo-op, or sit-in on one of the classes, a Tuesday or Thursday session is recommended. Please call Heidi Paluk at (508) 767-7173 if you are interested or if you need additional information.