District-Run Tutoring Classes in Jeopardy

Under Federal Rules, Districts That Don't Meet Goals Can't Offer Services

School systems that fail to meet their states’ academic goals cannot provide free tutoring to students with federal money, a rule that is forcing some districts to place such programs on hold.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Title I schools that fall short of their states’ goals for adequate yearly progress for three years must offer free tutoring to students from poor families. School districts are required to set aside 20 percent of their Title I budgets to finance those supplemental services, and some have begun...