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Students have homework - Kansas has help!

Free online tutoring for Kansas students launched by the State Library of Kansas and Kansas public libraries.

As the new school year kicks into high gear, the State Library of Kansas and Kansas public libraries launched HomeworkKansas, an interactive online tutoring service for Kansas children grades four through 12, and new college students.  The service can be accessed at www.homeworkkansas.org and is free to Kansas residents throughout the state.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius joined Kansas librarians in promoting the new online tutoring service.  "HomeworkKansas helps level the playing field for students. It's a resource available in rural and urban areas, in libraries and at home, and can be accessed regardless of income.  Young Kansans will have the assistance they need to excel in the classroom," she said. "Tools such as HomeworkKansas may open the door to higher education, better jobs and economic opportunity for our students."

Tutoring in math, science, English and social studies will be available seven days a week, from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and in Spanish for math and science Sunday through Thursday, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The service is high tech and sophisticated, but easy to use-- students indicate their grade level and the subject they need help in. Homework Kansas connects them to the best available tutor in just a few minutes.  Tutors don't provide answers, they provide help. The actual tutoring takes place in an online classroom, via chat and instant messaging; problems may be illustrated on an electronic whiteboard.  A variety of drawing and other web-based tools are available to enhance the tutoring session.

Kansas is only the third state to offer the tutoring service statewide. There are 400,000 students in Kansas public schools, grades four through 12. 

HomeworkKansas offers a safe and secure environment for students to seek help.  All tutors complete a third-party background and reference check. In addition, tutors complete a rigorous application and training program, and participate in ongoing in depth evaluation and mentoring.  Tutors are experts in their fields; they are certified teachers, college professors, professional tutors, graduate and undergraduate students from accredited colleges and universities, and other professionals.

The Kansas State Library provides information services to state and local governments, and to libraries and their users. The library is located in the State Capitol Building in Topeka.

 For more information, contact: Marc Galbraith, Deputy State Librarian, 785/296.3296,

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