You hear the factoids and statistics about kids graduating from high school without knowing how to read, but the depth of it truly does not reach you until you work with someone who doesn't possess basic reading comprehension or even idea synthesis.
I'm a college tutor, and one student I've met with many times particularly gets to me. Every single session is like pulling teeth, even just trying to get her to form an opinion. She relies on AI to complete all of her assignments. When I prompt her to think deeply about anything she tries but she just can't. I am trying my best to help her build her skills but at some point I am at a loss. I can't even tell how old she is, it's virtual, she never turns her camera on, her mannerisms are that of a child, but she's in college.
The total and complete intellectual neglect is just abhorrent. Her parents, her teachers, and the educational system as a whole have failed her completely. She can't even form opinions. Maybe she's intimidated by me as a tutor. My practice has been not the greatest, as I am a fairly new tutor and have had to learn how to approach such a dire situation, but when asked simple questions about her own opinions she cannot form an answer. To be frank, it is so concerning and depressing.
Every single session I have with this student is draining, but I am unalterably grateful that she continues to schedule appointments with me and the other tutors. I am so glad that I, along with others, are in a position to help this student. But, at the same time, I feel like my ability to help is so limited. The way the system I work within functions is limited to 50 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week. I feel as though I'm making progress, but every session feels like a reset. I truly hope that this student is gaining something within these sessions, but I can't ever really tell.
TO BE CLEAR: IF YOU NEED HELP, DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED OR FEEL LIKE YOU ARE INCONVENIENCING ANYONE BY ASKING FOR IT (ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE SPECIFICALLY EMPLOYED TO HELP YOU.) TUTORS ARE HERE TO HELP YOU, AND THEY FIND GREAT FULFILLMENT IN DOING SO REGARDLESS OF YOUR SKILL LEVEL.