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Tutorial Support Services History

Tutorial Support Services was recognized as an institutionally funded entity within the El Paso Community College in January 1997. Based at the Valle Verde Campus, Tutorial Support Services offers assistance in the general areas of Math, Reading, Writing and post-test GED. Prior to 1997, tutoring was divided into two separate departments: the Writing Center and Computer Assisted Instruction. Both departments fell under the Education and Resources Division, which was created in the fall of 1994 to handle all student services (i.e. Counseling, Library, Developmental Education, Teacher Prep and Tutoring).

The Writing Center was started in 1982 by the English Department and was staffed by faculty on a district-wide basis. A full-time coordinator was hired in 1986 to hire, train and supervise part-time peer-tutors, and there has been a constant training schedule in place since then. At the same time, the district was decentralized with each campus acting independently. In August of 1994 the Writing Center was moved from the English Department to the division of Education and Resources.

Computer Assisted Instruction was started in 1985. The purpose of the department was to aid students through the PLATO computer system. Their training, although not documented, consisted of approximately two hours of training in different content specific areas once a semester. Also, they received training on the PLATO computer system. This training was provided by individuals who are still with the college. This department also provided tutoring in Math.

Before 1997, Tutorial Support Services provided tutoring in the areas of Ability to Benefit, GED, Math, Reading, Writing and TASP non-course -based remediation in Math, Reading and Writing. This department discontinued tutoring for the individuals in the Ability-to-Benefit program and modified GED tutoring in both English and Spanish to assist only those individuals who have been unsuccessful in passing the GED test.

In August of 1997, all of the previously mentioned tutoring efforts of the Valle Verde campus were consolidated into one program with one person supervising 36-40 tutors. In August of 2000, these consolidated efforts came under the supervision of the Manager of Academic Resources who now reports directly to the director of Student Success. The Director reports directly to the Vice President of Instruction.

The addition of post-test GED tutoring in January of 2000 to Tutorial Support Services has provided a unique opportunity for the tutors to use their math and writing skills. Since the program came to us without any sort of materials and with the advent of a revised test for the year 2002, the tutors were asked to put together study guides or packets of materials for student use. What seemed like an insurmountable challenge was managed with finesse by the employees of this department. Not only were original materials created, but they were then translated into Spanish. The tutors' involvement in such a worth while project allowed them a sense of ownership and pride which has prompted more job satisfaction.

The objective of Tutorial Support Services is to provide assistance in the content areas of Math, and Writing to the student population of the college and the general public. Tutorial Support Services staff works closely with the college faculty to help improve student skills as they progress to become independent learners. It is a departmental goal to increase the scope of tutoring available to students in the areas of History, Sociology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, etc. The addition of content specific tutoring will facilitate the move to a more comprehensive learning assistance center where both current and future needs of the entire student population will be met.

Tutorial Support Services occupies a suite of rooms totaling approximately 5,730 square feet. The Math Center and the Writing Center are each 2,100 square feet. The intake office measures approximately 375 sq. ft. and provides office space for the two full-time Academic Resource Specialists and the computers that track student data. The remainder of the space is utilized by the Manager’s Office (156 sq. ft.).

The student population of the El Paso Community College consists of both traditional and non-traditional students. The enrollment runs approximately 24, 000 students per semester. It is the “fastest growing community college in the nation."