Where are you going?

High-quality tutoring programs are unique to their target populations and settings. "Students" may mean different things to each program, and "tutoring" may look different at each site. But national service programs have much in common; all need to support volunteers and members, maintain healthy partnerships, and sustain quality services. At the core, they all share goals to improve students' educational experiences and enhance learning.

As an education project coordinator, you're never short of questions about how to better realize those goals. And you sense you're not alone; other national service staff have surely asked the same questions, faced similar challenges. If only you could ask them, "What did you do when ...."

Well, we asked for you. In this issue we compiled common, sometimes difficult questions program directors ask as partnerships mature and tutors get settled. Then we asked veteran coordinators how they answered those questions and met the challenges of growing and sustaining effective projects.

Our panel of experts includes:

• Renee Cason, a VISTA at Eastern Connecticut State University
• Julie Chapman of Promoting Public Causes in Washington, D.C.
• David Falk and Priscilla Wood of Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education (SCALE) at the University of North Carolina
• Gail Killeen of the St. Johns RSVP in St. Augustine, Florida
• Nora Knell of Montana Campus Corps, a project of Montana Campus Compact
• Jeri Lerwick of Partnerships for Student Achievement in Forest Grove, Oregon
• Bridgett Stokes of the Learn and Serve program in Sitka, Alaska
• Mary Van Verst of the Washington Commission on National and Community Service.

The details of their projects vary, but their practices are adaptable and insights invaluable. As you read these questions and answers, look for general principles and strategies, and apply them to your own situation.