Tutoring in Manteca Unified may soon closer match the realities of today’s students.

That is because the district is currently vetting three vendors to provide “virtual academic support” or online tutoring.

It is a move that isn’t designed to supplant existing one-on-one tutoring services or after school homework assistance programs.

Instead, it is meant to offer students more options to further meet their individual needs including securing tutorial help around their “life” — family situations, extra-curricular activities such as sports, and other commitments that make accessing touring services on a rigid schedule difficult or impossible to do.

“It is not meant to replace in-person tutoring,” noted Candace Espinola, who serves as the Manteca Unified coordinator of extended learning.

Given that every MUSD student is equipped with a school issued device, access will be universal as opposed to existing programs that can be limited to space when sessions are at enrollment capacity, physical location, and the ability of the district and its non-profit partner Give Every Child a Chance to secure volunteer tutors.

The online support for students may include — but is not limited to — tutoring and homework support.

All of the firms the district is weighing before making a final decision employ credentialed teachers.

The wait time when requesting a tutor’s help is minimal. Two of the vendors indicate it can be as little as 15 to 20 seconds while a third connects students with a tutor in one to two minutes.’

“They don’t give the answers,” Espinola said of the online tutors. “They lead students to the answer.”

Students, depending upon their need, can access face-to-face virtual support or use chat features.

The interaction with tutors will be “captured” so students can go back and use it for future reference.

Providing students with the opportunity to access support outside of structured in-person learning is expected to reach a larger student population.

It will allow students that can’t work scheduled tutoring times around sports practices or family commitments to do so on a schedule that works for them.

As an example, a high student struggling with a calculus assignment at 9 o’clock on a Sunday night would be able to get help.

Espinola said the online tutoring could also help parents of students — especially younger children — become more involved in their child’s learning process by giving them insight needed to help them better comprehend subjects.

The firms that offer online services rely on a national pool of qualified individuals.

Some may be current teachers supplementing their income as well as those that have opted to pursue other careers or may be retired.

That means the online services could be available from early afternoon to late at night.

The district has the option to limit hours of accessibility.

That said, it is within the realm of possibility that a student could secure help at midnight — something that is completely impossible now.

Several vendors have the option where a student may be able to schedule a preferred tutor at a set time.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com