The Ball State University Learning Center received two national certifications for the services it provides to students.
A certification from the National Association of Developmental Education (NADE) was given to the Learning Center for its tutoring strategies and services to students. The other certification is from the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) for the Learning Center's tutor training program.
Learning Center Mathematics and Technologies coordinator Gary Ritz said the certifications will allow the university to show that their regulations are approved and well-viewed by other organizations throughout the country.
"They build our credibility with parents and students," he said. "It is an accreditation process reviewed by our peers."
The Ball State Learning Center is affiliated with the NADE, CRLA and the National Learning College Association.
Certifications given by the College Reading and Learning Association are intact for five years and are announced at their annual conference.
According to the CRLA Web site, the certification that Ball State received shows that it is qualified to issue certificates to individual tutors they train at their program.
Certifications given by the National Association for Developmental Education are for seven years. They are announced at their annual conference.
According to the NADE Web site, to be certified, the institution must demonstrate application of theory, use of quality practices as defined by professional research and literature of the field and analysis of the baseline and comparative evaluation data.
Ritz said in addition to helping students, the Learning Center also teaches tutors strong communication skills and helps them discover their own teaching styles.
Tutors at the Learning Center can be any undergraduate or graduate student with an A or B in the subject they are tutoring. They also have to go through at least 10 hours of training, said Jacqueline Harris, study strategies and writing coordinator.
"They watch videos, they are being evaluated and they go to demonstrations to get a context in tutoring," she said. "There are several workshops each semester and tutors are required to attend one. They are expected to develop their career."
Ritz said the Learning Center has changed its tutor training process in the last seven years since it was first certified by the NADE. It has expanded efforts to reach different communities of students who are both on and off campus. The center has placed tutors in residence halls and the community outside Ball State, such as at schools in Muncie. It is important for the Learning Center to connect with the community and make students aware of the different services the Learning Center offers, Ritz said.
"We see about 4,000 to 5,000 students every academic year," Ritz said. "Students should know that the Learning Center will help students take that next step they need."
Who are the tutors?
Any undergraduate or graduate student with at least a B in the subject they are tutoring. Tutors undergo 10 hours of training before starting the job.
Who uses the Learning Center?
The service is free to all students, and the Center helps about 4,000 to 5,000 students each academic year.
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