Equal Education for Athens: Sharing Knowledge, Shaping Futures

LANA SMITH – In a world where receiving a quality education is more important than ever, achieving financial stability is nearly impossible for those who come from families living under the poverty line without external support. Individuals living in low-income communities are at a strong disadvantage when trying to access resources for academic support when compared to those from wealthier areas. The current system does not cater to improving academics, and therefore the potential for success, for students living under the poverty line, preventing them from breaking the cycle. This staggering educational disparity is evident in the Athens Clarke County school district. Our local public schools have 80% minority enrollment, 26% lower proficiency in Reading and Math scores when compared to Georgia public schools, and 65% of 6th graders in Clarke County schools were significantly below the state average reading level. These statistics are not just groups of random numbers: they represent real students facing real challenges as they progress through their educational journeys. This is an incredibly important cause that directly impacts the future of our community.

Equal Education for Athens (EEA) is a non-profit organization working to provide free online tutoring and educational resources to K-12 students in Athens Clarke County. They advocate for equal access to educational resources for students in the community and recognize that we must take action against the significant educational disparity gap in Athens. Their primary approach is to provide free tutoring to students of all grade levels. They support subjects including, but not limited to: math, reading, science, art, and college prep. A UGA branch of the organization has just recently opened up, and is looking to recruit new members!

While there are other clubs at UGA that work to provide free tutoring for local students, EEA is a particularly special organization. One benefit is that all tutoring is virtual, increasing accessibility for students by eliminating the need for transportation. EEA also works to provide technological resources that help more students to access the program. Tutors work with the same student for the duration of the semester or school year, enabling them to build strong relationships with their students. This is incredibly rewarding for tutors, and a highly beneficial resource for students with challenging home lives. Outside of academic support, tutors can also sign up to help students with college essays and applications, SAT/ACT test prep, and scholarship applications. The college application process is daunting for everybody, but can be  especially challenging for students who were the first in their families to pursue higher education. This type of guidance can completely transform a child’s life by offering them the support they need to be successful. 

In addition to tutoring, there are other ways to get involved with EEA! For example, helping the organization raise awareness and contributing to service projects are other important tasks that accelerate EEA’s mission and future goals. They hope to one day increase their ability to provide financial support to students by funding home access to Wifi and laptops for the student’s educational enrichment, to improve bilingual services for ESL students, and to expand subject tutoring availability to include areas such as music, art, and engineering. 

UGA has hundreds of student organizations and community service opportunities students can become involved in, and narrowing down your interests can be overwhelming. However, choosing a hands-on volunteer opportunity in your local community is an incredibly rewarding experience. So, the next time you find yourself looking for the best way to become more involved, consider joining the student chapter of Equal Education for Athens. You can join by filling out the interest form on the UGA involvement network, applying on their instagram (@ugaeea), or by applying through their website.

Help EEA broaden opportunities for children in low-income families: it’s a cause worth fighting for.

Copy Editor – Alina Baiju

Photography Source – https://www.equaleducationathens.org/propsective-tutors