Online Tutoring Service Available Free To Rhode Island Students

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Education announced a new partnership aimed at making distance learning a little easier for students. The online platform helps connect students with tutors around the world.

The department partnered with Schoolhouse.world, which was launched in early 2020 by the founder of Khan Academy. It is intended to help students who are falling behind due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rhode Island is one of the first states in the country to partner with the service, which will be available to all students in grades six through 12, free of charge.

"We know that tutoring is one of the best supports we can provide to students who are struggling to keep up, but usually it is so expensive that the students who need it the most do not have access," Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said. "Schoolhouse.world ensures all Rhode Island students, regardless of finances, can get the live tutoring they need during this difficult time."

The platform offers small-group tutoring sessions in SAT prep and high school math, with plans to expand to more grade levels and topics.

"I’ve always believed that every child should have access to a free, world-class education," said Sal Khan, the founder of Schoolhouse.world and Khan Academy. "Khan Academy has been doing this by offering free practice, instructional videos, and teacher tools. Now with Schoolhouse.world, we’re excited to work with the state of Rhode Island to supplement that with free, live tutoring to students everywhere."

Rhode Island student can register for the service through All Course Network, which has been reworked to include three times as many offerings as last year. Tutoring registration can be completed online. There is no deadline to sign up and no limit to the number of students who can use the service.