Back to school

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Tech. Sgt. Kristin Hays walks with her daughter, Cameron, to school Aug. 31. Hanscom’s primary and middle schools began Aug. 31. Kindergarten students went back to school Sept. 1 and pre-kindergarten and high school students returned Sept. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

Back to school

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Students, parents and teachers line up outside the primary and middle schools on the first day of school, Aug. 31. For information about primary, middle and high school events, check the School Notes section of the newspaper or website. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

Free tutoring and homework help makes back-to-school easier for military families

Published Sept. 8, 2011
By Sarah Olaciregui
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Military families can breathe a little easier during this stressful back-to-school timeframe knowing that a professional, live tutor is just a click away whenever a student gets stuck on a school assignment. The Department of Defense's Online Tutoring program, powered by tutor.com, is available for free to eligible military families 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More than 90,000 sessions have been completed since the program launched in January 2010.

Any time a student gets stuck on a homework assignment, is studying for an exam or simply didn't understand the day's lesson, he or she can get online and connect to an expert tutor in math, science, English or social studies. The online tutor works one-to-one with the student in real-time, using an interactive whiteboard. Once the session is over the student can replay their lesson or email it to a parent or teacher.

Eligible service members and their spouses can also use the service for help with college coursework or career help, such as writing a resume or preparing for a job interview.

"This website is a great resource for military families," said Lisa Pizarro, school liaison officer. "It helps alleviate the stress that goes along with new classes, new schedules and, for many military children, new schools."

Military family members can go to www.tutor.com/military and follow the instructions to access the service. A full eligibility statement is also available there.