Educational Justice

Educational Justice is a US nonprofit organization striving to end educational inequity by providing one-on-one tutoring and mentorship to students from under-resourced backgrounds. Founded in 2011 by educator and entrepreneur Moshe Ohayun, the organization aims to address disparities in educational opportunities across income levels.

Mission and Programs

Educational Justice focuses on pairing 5th to 8th-grade students with high-achieving high school peers for long-term academic support and social development. The program involves weekly tutoring sessions throughout the school year, often continuing for successive years. This approach fosters stable mentor relationships, allowing older students to guide their younger peers in navigating academic challenges, building confidence, and developing emotional regulation skills.

The organization's model is hybrid, combining virtual meetings and online resources with occasional in-person sessions. This setup minimizes logistical barriers related to space, transportation, and scheduling while maintaining the quality of educational assistance. As of 2023, Educational Justice has expanded its programming to include mentorship on social-emotional skills in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to address increased mental health needs post-pandemic.

Impact and Outcomes

The near-peer mentoring model employed by Educational Justice has been shown to positively influence students' academic performance and personal development. Studies have indicated that mentored youth are more likely to enroll in college, less likely to skip school or engage in substance use, and more likely to hold leadership positions. Feedback from teachers and parents highlights the program's rapid and positive impact on students' outlook and confidence.

Educational Justice also offers high school tutors opportunities to develop leadership skills, gain teaching experience, and understand wealth inequalities and their impact on education. As the organization continues to grow, it aims to provide more students with the tools and support needed to overcome barriers to equitable education, effectively leveling the playing field and providing historically inaccessible opportunities.

History

Educational Justice was established in response to persistent educational inequities observed in Kentucky, where the education gap between different income levels has historically been pronounced. The organization's foundation was motivated by the disparity in access to additional academic support among higher-income families, which often resulted in greater academic success. Over time, Educational Justice has evolved its model to address emerging needs, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated learning loss and social-emotional challenges among students.