Resource Library

Best Practice Resources

#1. Organizational Management

• Taking the first step: develop a mission statement.

• Ready to create a work plan? 

• Learn more about stakeholder analysis techniques.

• Check out the Foundation’s style guide to see what one looks like.

• Use this template to create your own organizational chart.

• See a sample annual performance review.

#2. Cultural Proficiency 

• Curious about the essential elements of cultural competence? From Cultural Proficiency: A Manual for School Readers by Randall B. Lindsey, Kikanza J. Nuri Robins, and Raymond D. Terrell.

• Use the diversity kit. It helps programs examine their beliefs, perceptions, behaviors, and practices with respect to diversity in education.

• Explore the concept of culturally relevant teaching with this Courageous Conversation and Courageous Leadership powerpoint.

• Check out this list of resources that helps programs deliver culturally responsive instruction. 

• Find out about tools that address racism through conversation.

• Read Courageous Conversations about Race: A field guide for achieving equity in schools by Glenn E. Singleton and Curtis Linton. 

• Utilize the discussion questions in “Why are all the Black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?” by Beverly Daniels to start conversations about race.

#3. Student Recruitment & Management

• New tutoring programs take note--Beyond the Bell Resource Guide: Start-Up Guide for After-School Programs may be the handbook you never even knew you needed .

• Read more about Helping Youth Succeed Through Out-of-School Time Programs.

• Need a simple way to track your student participants? Use this template to record basic student information.

• Ready to learn more about recruitment and retention strategies for out-of-school time programs?

#4. Tutor Recruitment & Management

• Stay informed about volunteer management.

• Have questions about volunteer background checks in Saint Paul Public Schools?

• Learn more about volunteering with the Saint Paul Public Schools through their volunteer guide.

• Looking for guidance on effective screening? Purchase a screening toolkit.

• Improve your volunteer intake process by adapting this volunteer application form.

• Looking to create a more comprehensive volunteer job description? Check out this example from CommonBond.

• Adapt this intentional partner agreement to help solidify partnerships that bring in volunteers.

• Developing your own volunteer plan? Use this guide for helpful tips. 

• Read about successfully retaining and working with volunteers.

• Find great ideas here at this website dedicated to leaders of volunteers!

• Check out these ideas for saying thank you to your volunteers.

• Want to manage your volunteers better? Try out this volunteer management framework.

#5. Tutor Training 

• Tailor this sample orientation guide to fit your program.

• Take advantage of the free tutor trainings offered  by the Foundation.

• Encourage your tutors to sign up for trainings offered through the Minnesota Literacy Council.

• Explore the national service resource center for tutor training ideas and materials.

#6. Tutoring Intervention 

• Use this extensive online resource guide to create best practice tutoring interventions for your students.

• Need help lesson planning? Check out this lesson plan development guide to get started.

• See a sample lesson plan from the East Side Learning Center.

• Look through the SPPS Pacing Guides for a glimpse of what's going on in the classroom.

• Want a refresher on Everyday Math Games?

#7. Engagement with Families, Schools, and Communities

• Epstein's framework offers six ways to coordinate your outreach.

• Learn about what counts in after-school.

• Want to help your families make meaningful connections with their child’s school? Resources to help parents connect with their child’s school and education.

• Need to make the case for family involvement? This report explores family’s impact on student achievement and the role that schools and community organizations should play. 

• See what practices SPPS encourages to support family involvement in Saint Paul Public Schools.

• Read the Beyond the Bell Toolkit to learn more about partnership with schools and families. 

• Check out this guide to help after school programs and school day learning work in partnership.

• Explore research-based strategies for creating strong linkages between summer programs, schools and community partners. 

#8. Evaluation 

• A few tools for evaluating out-of-school time programs.

• Read the Kellogg Evaluation Handbook to learn about evaluation tools and strategies.

• Have you developed a logic model yet?

• Check out this sample logic model and use it as a template for your own.

• Find out what an evaluation plan can look like.

• Adapt this tutor log to fit your program needs.

• Read some sample parent consent language for data release.