They’re working to fill those education gaps

Through a private agency, Learner Dynamics, Dr. Joan Ickes (right) and Sandra Tilton help students from lower socioeconomic levels.

“Our school systems are very good at helping and knowing how to educate the middle class and upper middle class. But we struggle with those coming from lower socioeconomic levels.

“They often start school with major gaps. Trying to catch them up can be really challenging. The schools work very hard at it, but it’s become a pretty big gap.

“You have a lot of people who need individual instruction. Because of the numbers in our schools, they can’t always get that service. They may not fall under the criteria dictated to the school districts by the state and by the federal government, so they can kind of get lost in the mix. Those are the ones we’re trying to serve.”

— Dr. Joan Ickes