CREP to Evaluate Multi-Million Dollar Grant with Literacy Mid-South

February 7, 2025 – The College of Education’s Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) has been tasked with evaluating a grant for Literacy Mid-South’s (LMS) Tutor901 program. LMS recently received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, allowing them to expand the tutoring program’s capacity by approximately 1,500 students.

“We are excited and honored to be part of Literacy Mid-South’s continued work to improve literacy and life outcomes for Memphis students,” CREP Research Director Dr. Todd Zoblotsky said.

For the next five years, a team of four CREP researchers will annually evaluate Tutor901 students – grades 2-4 – across 36 schools within Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS). They’ll assess the impact of the program, specifically student achievement in reading, by comparing test scores to non-treatment schools. CREP will use publicly available state report card data and TCAP ELA scores to make these assessments, while also considering factors like student demographics.

“We are incredibly proud to have received this significant investment, which is a testament to the hard work of our students, tutors, staff and teachers,” said John Nichols, interim chief executive officer of Literacy Mid-South. “This funding will help us expand access to high-quality, personalized tutoring and deepen our collaboration with schools and community partners. As we celebrate 50 years of service, this marks a key milestone in our ongoing mission to meet the evolving literacy needs of Memphis students and families.”

Tutor901 focuses on consistent, in-person instruction that is conducted in small groups with tailored support. According to their 2023-24 impact report, the program instructed 3,000 students within MSCS.

This is CREP’s first direct evaluation partnership with LMS, according to Zoblotsky. The CREP team will include Zoblotsky along with Drs. Carolyn Kaldon, who will be the principal investigator (PI), Yu Wu and Robert McKinney.

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