KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Several Kansas City leaders are working to bring a national school mentoring program to the struggling Kansas City district.
Organizations such as the Kauffman Foundation, the Kansas City Public Schools and the mayor’s office said at a rally this week that the City Year AmeriCorps could help the district’s struggling students.

The Kansas City Star reports the program, which started in the Boston public schools in 1988, trains people 17 to 24 years old to serve as tutors and mentors. In return, they earn about $12,500 a year and a chance for college tuition vouchers and scholarships.
Several Kansas City leaders visited Orlando, Florida, in November to see the program in action. Superintendent Steven Green says everyone was impressed.