Officials from Westbury Public Schools last week joined an Internet-based publisher in unveiling a new online tutoring program, which will be provided to local students at no cost to the district.

Through a partnership with Maryland-based SkillsTutor, Westbury School District has received free access to the company's new web-based test preparation and instructional program, SkillsTutor.com. The publisher is making its product available through a partnership with the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). The partnership is primarily geared to serve the district's home and hospital-bound students, but is also being phased in to serve the general student population as well.

Westbury is one of only two districts to be chosen for the unique school-business partnership. The other district is located in Mt. Vernon, New York. During a press conference at Westbury High School announcing the partnership, Stephen Helgeson, director of marketing for SkillsTutor noted that Westbury was selected because Superintendent Dr. Constance Clarke had expressed a desire to participate in "innovative" educational programs. "We've had a good relationship with Dr. Clarke and the district," he said.

Bill Shupert, executive vice president of SkillsTutor, said the company plans to implement the program in districts throughout the country. "This is a national program that we have initiated here in Westbury," he said.

Dr. Clarke said the program will not only serve home and hospital bound students, but will also be available to the general student population in the classroom. Access to the program will be given to students seeking remedial help, on an individual basis by a password provided by school administrators. The program can also be used by other, more advanced students who wish to improve their skills and test scores.

"Westbury is certainly on its way to academic success," Dr. Clarke said as she unveiled the program. "We hope through this program we will see continued gains."

Dr. Clarke expressed much enthusiasm about providing Internet-based instructional and testing materials to Westbury students for the first time ever, noting that this could help make the district more competitive. Eventually, every student will have a password to the program, she said, and will be able to use it wherever they have Internet access - for example at home, in the classroom, or in the library. Through the program, administrators will be able to track how much time a student has spent working online, and track progress, according to the superintendent. "I'm hoping that it will increase our students' performance on the Regents and state assessments," she said, noting that it could also help improve skills and SAT scores.

SkillsTutor.com is designed for students in grades 6 to 12, and includes online instruction and testing in reading, writing, language arts, mathematics, information and workforce readiness skills. Tests are aligned to the New York State Regents examinations. The program replaces a CD-Rom based product previously used by the district. According to SkillsTutor representatives, their web-based product is easier to access and maintain than the former, CD-Rom program.

"There are relatively small numbers of students who are confined to home or hospital due to illness or disability, but school districts often find serving the educational needs of these students to be difficult and expensive," said Dr. Garry McDaniels, president of SkillsTutor. He added, "We are giving free access because we know that our web-based instruction will provide new levels of service to students who could not attend regular classes. Our content assists teachers in covering the core skills commonly found on standardized tests. Web delivery extends learning time and gives schools a new opportunity to serve small and dispersed populations of students."

Some Westbury High School students and English teacher Shahana Khairoola were present at the unveiling, and offered comments on the Internet tutoring program, as the youngsters performed trial demonstrations.

Ms. Khairoola noted that the program provides a good review for students. "I think the program does a good job in helping to remind them of what they learned already," she said, adding that the program will also be a valuable remedial tool for students to access at home, in case they are not able to attend extra-help sessions at school.

Student Krunal Shah said, "I think it will be effective for the handicapped people, because it has the basic requirements that a student needs for regular school."

"I think it is really good, but it doesn't really substitute for a teacher," said student Wasnard Victor, noting that the program provides a good review, but that he needed the guidance of his teacher, Ms. Khairoola, with some confusing parts.

"I think the program is primarily great for review," commented student Cynthia David, adding, however that it may not be challenging enough for the more advanced homebound students. "It won't challenge every homebound student," she said.