The Tutoring Path
Non Profit Capability Building
Team Project - 5 Members
Ai Literacy
Stakeholder Mapping
Service Scaping
Chatham County, Savannah, GA, United States
The Tutoring Path is a narrative engagement model developed for The Front Porch, a Juvenile Court-led initiative aimed at reducing recidivism among at-risk youth.
Challenge
The program faces an interconnected chain of operational and systemic hurdles described as "The Perfect Storm". Core problems include low referral rates and reduced youth engagement, which result in fewer services being provided. This lack of activity creates a cycle of declining impact that ultimately leads to cancelled grants and financial instability. These issues are often triggered by operational gaps such as incorrect data entry, disconnected communication that confuses families, and inaccurate assessment plans. Because the program serves children recommended by schools or the Juvenile Court to prevent court involvement, failing to retain these students has serious social consequences.
Solution
At its core, the solution follows a structured 12-session curriculum divided into five narrative phases—Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, falling action and Resolution—and gamifies student progress through a Tutoring Journey Poster. Beyond academic support, the model ensures consistent data capture to maintain program financial stability and seeks to redefine a student's social narrative by awarding "Front Porch Champion" badges, effectively turning a court-mandated intervention into a celebrated educational milestone. Key elements of the solution include:
Gen. AI Storytelling System: Tutors use AI prompts to generate suspenseful "story hooks" that relate academic subjects, such as math, to imaginary or fantasy universes. For example, a student might solve fraction problems to help a fictional chef save his restaurant.
The Tutoring Journal: A physical tool for deep one-on-one learning that ensures consistent data capture across sessions, providing the measurable proof of progress needed for grant stability.
The Tutoring Journey Poster: A visual asset that gamifies progress, allowing children to see a fun, visible path toward their academic goals.
Narrative Transformation: The model aims to turn a "social taboo"—such as a court sentence—into an educational milestone by awarding "Front Porch Champion" badges upon completion.
This approach uses low-cost, high-impact tools to ensure that at-risk youth remain motivated and consistent in their studies while securing the program's long-term funding through proven results.
