TAN Program History

<PHOTOS – Buchanan Hall; Carter Hall; Councill Hall; students outside Councill Hall by the TAN door>

Tutorial Assistance Network (TAN) Overview

TAN coordinates and maintains a campus-wide tutorial and Supplemental Instruction (SI) program. Our tutors and SI leaders serve as "learning partners" for students who request tutorial and SI assistance. Individual and group appointments and walk-in tutoring are available in many academic courses, and SI is offered in historically difficult courses (courses with D, W, F rates above 30%).

These services are offered at no additional cost to Alabama A&M University students. Students may attend regularly scheduled individual and group appointment tutoring, weekly SI review sessions, and/or Mathematics and English walk-in/drop-in tutoring. The Tutorial Assistance Network is 100% funded by Title III.

TAN Program History

The TAN was launched during the Fall 2001 semester in Buchanan Hall, under the leadership of the Office of Retention and Academic Support (ORAS) Program Director, Dr. Leatha M. Bennett. Initially, TAN employed three undergraduate student tutors who provided tutorial assistance in English, Mathematics, Psychology, Economics, History, Biology, Chemistry, Philosophy, Spanish, Accounting, and Sociology. Two rooms in Buchanan Hall, including the main office, were used for tutoring: Rooms 101 and 103, and tutees were tutored on a walk-in basis. Tutors sometimes doubled as office workers to ensure ORAS functioned efficiently, and that all tutors understood the work ethic principle behind the program. Tutor operating hours were from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The Science and Mathematics Tutorial Center (SMTC), directed by Dr. Razi Hassan, started in Carter Hall in collaboration with the Tutorial Assistance Network during 2001. This satellite division of TAN provided tutorial services in Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Statistics, and Computer Science courses. Many students benefited from the location and the flexible hours of SMTC. SMTC services were relocated to TAN’s main location in Buchanan Hall in 2002. Dr. Hassan now serves as the Director of the Health Career Opportunities program (HCOP).

In 2004, ORAS hired a full-time TAN coordinator. Since that time, TAN has continued to assess and meet the needs of its student population by offering evening and weekend hours, expanding its service locations, working with varied campus partners, engaging students through classroom and residential hall presentations, and offering academic assistance in more courses. Fall 2008 heralded the addition of Supplemental Instruction (SI), which is designed to reduce the D, W and F rates in historically difficult courses (DWF rates above 30%).

Then in 2009, TAN became an internationally certified College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) program. This global certification provided TAN with the rights and privileges to endorse its tutors and SI leaders with Level I and Level II CRLA certification and rewards employees who successfully complete TAN’s structured and empowering professional development series.

TAN accomplishments are seen in the academic success of its students. Students who utilize TAN services in a timely manner are more likely to successfully pass their courses, improve their grade point averages, and understand course concepts. Students also report that tutoring and SI help them to achieve their goals and boost their confidence. TAN has served thousands of students over the years. The program continues to provide academic support services and to engage students in achieving academic success using multiple resources.

Visit us in our new J. F. Drake Memorial Learning Resources Center first floor location.

The sessions are very helpful in understanding the material.