In Baltimore, where 20,000 youngsters are eligible in 58 failing schools, demand for free tutoring has outstripped supply. More than 7,000 city parents applied this school year, and 4,300 pupils were selected - all the school system could afford. The system limits tutoring to the financially neediest pupils with the lowest test scores.

[Eleshiea Goode] knew four years ago that tutoring might help her son overcome his difficulties in school, which were made worse by an attention-deficit disorder. But she abandoned the idea after learning of the $75 cost of an initial assessment and the $40-an- hour cost of tutoring.

Photo(s); 1. Dontae Melton, 11, does schoolwork at his West Baltimore home, under the supervision of a tutor. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, about 5,800 state pupils have been tutored for free this school year. 2. [Georgina Whalen] tutors Shavar Vanstory and [Alexis Faulcon], both 12, at William H. Lemmel Middle School. More than 7,000 city parents applied for free tutoring this school year.; Credit: JOHN MAKELY : SUN STAFF CHIAKI KAWAJIRI : SUN STAFF