AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF) has started a new nonprofit tutoring program that allows retired teachers who want to give back to Texas children, schools and communities through teaching in times of COVID-19.
“Public schools can partner with TRTF and receive free or reduced-cost tutoring hours for students that are tailored to Texas courses and content and provided by experienced teachers trained in state curriculum and accountability systems,” according to information posted on the TRTF website. “We believe that no other group can better support our schools than the retirees who have been in the trenches and understand the challenges our teachers and administrators face daily. We understand and respect that our schools deserve dependable help!”
The program utilizes the Knack tutoring platform. The company has more than 10 billion records stored in their databases, and works with organizations such as Harvard University, Capital One, The Salvation Army, Seattle Seahawks, and more.
“Knack provides the platform, vetting services for tutors, and 1099 IRS forms for tutors,” the TRTF website states. “Tutors will be independent contractors.”
TRTF began in 1988 under the name of the Building Fund Trust, which was formed in order to acquire a home office space for the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). In 1992, the fund purchased a lot at the corner of Trinity and 12th Street in Austin, renting it out for a time while before the building was constructed.
TRTA is paying close attention to HB 430 wherein, if passed, would eliminate TRS-Care, the state-run retired educator heatlh insurance program. It is sponsored by Republican State Representative Ken King.