Research and Best Practices for High-Impact Tutoring

Research shows that high-impact tutoring is effective in getting learners back to grade-level. The Annenberg Institute at Brown University found evidence that high-impact tutoring consistently leads to positive learning outcomes for a wide range of students. 

Additionally, an independent review from Poverty Action Lab concluded that on average, tutoring increased student achievement by an additional three to 15 months of learning across all grades and subjects, specifically early literacy and high school math. 

Schools and districts that require evidence that high-impact tutoring is effective before committing resources can consider the following research-backed benefits and implementation practices. 

Research-Backed Implementation Tips for High-Dosage Tutoring  

Tutoring Needs to Be Data-Driven 

High-impact tutoring is more likely to be equitable and sustainable when students are strategically selected, student assessments and tutor performance are data-driven, and curriculum is school-aligned in coordination with a classroom teacher (Kraft & Falken, 2021).  

Good tutoring platforms provide data dashboards and reporting features for tutors and schools to monitor student progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure the program is being implemented as intended. 

Data points that can provide help drive data-driven decision-making include pre-session diagnostics to establish benchmarks, regular progress checks, and mid-cycle data analysis to track and adjust instruction based on student needs. 

Sustainable Tutoring is Integrated into the School Schedule 

Academic outcomes are improved when high-impact tutoring is built into the school schedule because it holds students accountable, promotes equity, and helps create a seamless learning experience (Poverty Action Lab). 

Schools seeking tutoring solutions should ensure that they can tailor scheduled sessions to fit their instructional day and have an option of conducting sessions during after-school programs. 

Tutors Should Be Experienced and Trustworthy 

A recent independent report conducted by FutureEd found that tutors who develop meaningful tutor-student relationships help motivate students and may even have a positive impact on a student’s overall well-being and social-emotional state. 

Tutoring providers should have trained tutors with virtual instruction experience that can build strong trust and rapport with students to celebrate their successes, tailor the learning experience, and address motivational roadblocks to success. 

Tutoring Programs Should Be Supported by High-Quality Content 

Research shows successful tutoring programs integrate sessions with align with high-quality curricula to reinforce and extend what was covered in the classroom. Doing so ensures the sessions are relevant, students retain knowledge, master objectives, and reach their learning goals. 

Tutoring partners should provide high-quality content while offering schools the flexibility to use other approved quality materials aligned to the classroom materials. 

Small Group Instruction is Best 

Evidence shows that low student to tutor ratios are important in ensuring high-dosage tutoring remains effective (Nickow et al. 2020). Small groups allow tutors to provide personalized instruction to meet specific learning needs of each student, resulting in targeted interventions tailored to strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. 

It also leads to high levels of student engagement and a collaborative learning environment as students are more likely to actively participate in discussions, ask each other questions, build on ideas, and work together with peers.  

Tutoring Sessions Should Happen Frequently 

Recent evidence (Nickow et al. 2020) shows that when high dosage tutoring is implemented more than 3 days a week for 30 minutes or more a session, the reinforcement of concepts and skills help students retain information better.  

Additionally, frequent sessions allow for tutors to address learning gaps promptly, keeping interventions targeted and helping students overcome challenges more effectively. 

Consistency also helps tutors build relationships with their students, creating a supportive learning environment that can accelerate learning gains. 

High-Dosage Tutoring Implementation with Edmentum 

Edmentum’s high-impact tutoring services (Targeted Skills Instruction) are implemented with the above best practices in mind and have produced positive student outcomes with these partners: 

• John P. Holland Charter School in New Jersey integrated Targeted Skills Instruction for grades 3 and 4 math acceleration with a goal of building both proficiency and confidence. The sessions were held three times a week during lunches, and they resulted in 94% of students achieving mastery of 3 or more targeted skills after 16 lessons. 
   
• Mariposa County Unified School District in California decided to incorporate Targeted Skills Instruction by leveraging California funding streams for evidence-based intervention. They scheduled students in grades 3-6 for four lessons a week in math and reading. After 36 lessons, 53% of students achieved full mastery and 45% made significant progress toward mastering the targeted skills. 
   
• Rock Church Academy in Maryland leveraged Targeted Skills Instruction three days a week for their middle school math program. In just nine lessons of Targeted Skills Instruction, 80% of students achieved mastery of the targeted skills. 
   
• Bnos Yisroel in Maryland wanted to close COVID-related learning loss and get K-12 students back on grade level in reading and math. In one semester, 57% of elementary students achieved mastery and 43% made significant progress toward mastery of the targeted skills. At the middle and high school level, 82% of students achieved mastery and 18% made significant progress toward mastery of the targeted skills. 

By embracing these research-backed strategies, schools and districts can effectively implement high-impact tutoring programs that not only close learning gaps but also promote long-term academic success and student confidence. The proven benefits make high-dosage tutoring critical in keeping students on grade-level. 

Learn more about Edmentum’s virtual tutoring services or contact our sales team for more information.