East Side Learning Center’s High-Dosage Tutoring Program Earns Prestigious Badge from Stanford's National Student Support Accelerator
St. Paul / Minneapolis — East Side Learning Center (ESLC) announced today that its High-Dosage Tutoring program has been awarded the Tutoring Program Design Badge by National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) at Stanford University.
The Badge was granted following a thorough evaluation by a third-party team of education leaders, who assessed ESLC’s tutoring program against rigorous “Tutoring Quality Standards.” The Badge signals to states and K–12 districts that the program’s design aligns with research-based best practices. Learn more at: National Student Support Accelerator+1.
“We are honored to be recognized with the NSSA Tutoring Program Design Badge,” said Karmit Bulman, Executive Director of ESLC. “We partner with the AARP Foundation Experience Corps, which has developed an evidence-based literacy program that propels K-3 students to reach and exceed grade-level reading. Only 34 % of St. Paul’s third-graders read at grade level; our High-Dosage Tutoring is already accelerating student learning and closing achievement gaps.”
This achievement underscores ESLC’s commitment to student-centered, research-driven tutoring models that serve underserved populations. The NSSA badges are awarded to tutoring programs whose designs meet these types of criteria:
- rigorous tutor recruitment and training to ensure high-quality instruction;
- development of strong student-tutor relationships to build engagement and trust;
- alignment of instructional materials and curriculum with research-based practices;
- frequent assessment and data-driven improvement strategies;
- integration with school schedules and district learning priorities.
By earning the Badge, ESLC joins an elite group of tutoring providers recognized for excellence in program structure, student impact potential, and tutor preparation.
About ESLC
East Side Learning Center (ESLC) is a St. Paul/Minneapolis-based nonprofit dedicated to providing high-quality literacy and tutoring services to children and families in underserved communities. Through partnerships and evidence-based practices, ESLC strives to accelerate student learning and close persistent achievement gaps.
About the National Student Support Accelerator
The National Student Support Accelerator, housed at Stanford University, works to translate promising research about tutoring into real-world practice. Its Tutoring Quality Improvement System includes self-assessments, design tools, and the Tutoring Program Design Badge, which recognizes programs that meet strong, research-aligned standards. Visit National Student Support Accelerator+1 for more information.
