K-12 Connect/EQPD
Responding to a moment. Building a model for what comes next.
Expanding access to high-impact tutoring through university and community partnership.
Project Summary
K–12 Connect was launched in 2020 as part of Grand Valley State University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging from a broader institutional effort to address learning loss and expand support for K–12 students.
What began as a volunteer-driven initiative providing virtual homework support quickly evolved into a structured, high-impact tutoring model. Through cross-campus collaboration and community partnerships, the program expanded to offer targeted academic support in math, reading, and mentorship, connecting K–12 students with trained tutors in both virtual and in-person settings.
Over time, K–12 Connect scaled to serve tens of thousands of students while also creating meaningful opportunities for over a thousand university students to engage in teaching, mentoring, and workforce development. The initiative ultimately transitioned into an independent nonprofit organization, EQPD, extending its reach and impact beyond the university.
The Model
K–12 Connect developed a scalable, high-impact tutoring model that combined academic support, workforce development, and community engagement.
Key elements included:
Consistent, small-group or one-on-one support designed to build both academic skills and student confidence over time through tailored curriculum
Tutors were prepared through onboarding, coaching, and ongoing professional development, ensuring consistency and quality across learning experiences
GVSU students served as tutors and mentors, gaining hands-on experience while supporting K–12 learners. As the model expanded, it engaged students from over 90 different colleges and universities across the country
Virtual, in-school, at-home, and community-based models allowed partners to adapt implementation to meet local needs
Tutoring was paired with mentoring and college preparation, supporting students both academically and in planning for what comes next
The initiative connected and supported K–12 schools, families, and higher education partners to expand access to academic support and strengthen pathways between systems
At-A-Glance
Students supported across K–12
Tutoring sessions delivered since launch
College students trained as tutors
School districts served
Why This Work Mattered
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and accelerated existing inequities in K–12 education, leaving many students with disrupted learning experiences and limited access to consistent academic support.
At the same time, schools faced growing capacity challenges, with educators navigating increased demands while working to address learning loss, support student well-being, and maintain progress toward graduation.
K–12 Connect emerged within this context as a way to expand support beyond the classroom. By leveraging university resources and community partnerships, the initiative created new pathways to provide individualized academic support while strengthening connections between K–12 education and higher education.
It also reflected a broader institutional question: how can universities play a more active role in supporting student success before and beyond enrollment?
Evolution of the Model
K–12 Connect evolved rapidly from a volunteer-driven response to a structured, scalable model for high-impact tutoring and academic support.
Early Response (2020)
Virtual drop-in homework help launched to support students during initial pandemic disruptions
Program Development
Expansion into relationship-base, high-impact tutoring, targeted literacy and math support, and integrated mentoring, supported by training and coaching
Scaling and Reach
Growth to serve thousands of students across districts and partners, with increased consistency in delivery and outcomes
Expanded Workforce Model
Engagement of tutors from colleges and universities across the country, representing more than 90 institutions and contributing to a broader pipeline of future educators
From Incubation to Independent Model
As the program matured, K–12 Connect transitioned beyond its initial incubation environment, spinning out from Grand Valley State University’s GV NextEd Co-Lab to become a freestanding nonprofit organization, EQPD.
This transition reflected both the demonstrated impact of the model and its potential for continued growth, aligning with the Co-Lab’s goal of developing solutions that can scale beyond their original context.