QCC Nominated for National Bellwether Award

WORCESTER, Ma. – Quinsigamond Community College is pleased to announce that the College’s new and unique tutoring methodology, the “Quad-A Tutoring Method,” has been nominated for the 2008 Bellwether Award.  This is the second time QCC has been nominated, having been named a finalist for the award in 2001.

The Bellwether Award is a prestigious national award recognizing outstanding and innovative programs and practices that are successfully leading community colleges into the future. It is presented annually at the Community College Futures Assembly, which this year will be held in Orlando, Florida from January 26-29, 2008.  At the Assembly, finalists will be competitively judged and invited to present their program results.

QCC’s “Quad-A Tutoring Method” offers a unique experience by simplifying and ensuring a consistent process during tutoring and lessening student tutoring anxiety.  The method addresses the specific problems of quality, assessment, and accountability within academic tutoring services, and allows tutors to assist multiple students during a timeframe more typical of one tutoring session. “Quad-A” stands for: Assess, Assist, allow Autonomy, Approach again with Authenticity.

The College’s Communication Skills Center has developed, implemented, and tested the “Quad-A Tutoring Method” over the past two years with excellent success.  More than 16,000 tutoring sessions have been completed by a staff of 13 tutors using the “Quad-A” method.

Established in 1995 and sponsored by the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Florida, the Community College Futures Assembly focuses on cutting-edge programs that other colleges might find worthy of replicating.