Student

NSSA 2023 Conference

Join this invitation-only gathering of researchers, district, state, and higher education leaders, tutoring providers, and funders to:

  • Learn about implications of recent research findings and innovative and sustainable practices in tutoring;
  • Explore successful state and district strategies for scaling and sustainability; and
  • Make connections with education leaders in the field.

Since 2022, public schools in the District of Columbia have been working to mitigate Covid learning disruptions by establishing and ramping up high-impact tutoring (HIT) efforts. Data on the outcome of these efforts are beginning to emerge, and a new report from the National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) shows some minimally encouraging signs.

NSSA is an offshoot of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning and Systems Change for Advancing Learning and Equity, an initiative focused on researching how tutoring can best benefit students. Its new report looks at the first full year of HIT implementation in D.C. schools during 2022–23. Tutoring efforts that year concentrated on math and English language arts (ELA) for students in all grades and was focused on schools—both district and charter—with the greatest concentrations of students identified as at risk. It’s interesting to note that “at risk” doesn’t generally mean academic risk for schools in the district, but rather centers primarily on student socioeconomic status and homelessness, in the context of this wholly-academic intervention. Pre-existing academic need appears not to have been a driving force in choosing where tutors were placed, although some data suggest that academic performance may have influenced teachers’ decisions on which students to refer for tutoring.


“This is most likely to happen if parents both want this and believe that they can get this – and deserve to get this – at school,” says Susanna Loeb, a professor of education at Stanford University in California. 

Amid the flurry of activity in recent years, researchers and policy advocates are increasingly pointing to a specific kind of tutoring as the most effective. Known as “high-impact” or “high-dosage,” it generally refers to tutoring that happens at least three times a week for 30-minute sessions with groups of four or fewer students. And if it occurs during the regular school day? Even better.


Research reveals the most effective ways to help young struggling readers through tutoring.

Tutoring has gained popularity as a strategy to improve the academic achievement of struggling students. Intensive, relationship-based tutoring is a highly effective academic support for many students, particularly in the early elementary years when school schedules and classroom routines are flexible (Groom-Thomas et al., 2023). For schools considering how to begin tutoring or where to prioritize resources, early literacy tutoring — which is both effective and feasible — is a good place to start.


We offer Live Online tutoring services as well as In-person: students can choose between In-Home tutoring or at a preferred Public space such as a Library or Coffee Shop for In-Person Services. We tutor All Subjects at all Grade Levels, Kindergarten through University with many knowledgeable and experienced tutors on staff.


Results Learning specializes in providing Special Education compensatory services & staffing, and customized tutoring programs to K-12 schools and school districts across the country.


/*-->*/ /*-->*/ Since 2009, BuffTutor has been trusted by students and parents to connect with exceptional and effective tutors. Our network of tutors consists of graduate and undergraduate students, as well as retired teachers & professors. We provide both in-person and online tutoring for all subjects, though we primarily focus on STEM tutoring for college & high school level students.


/*-->*/ /*-->*/ The 916 Ink Read On! program delivers literacy tutoring for 1st-5th grade striving readers to help them reach grade-level reading goals.


Thinkster Math's high-impact tutoring solution for schools leverages advanced AI technology and expert human tutoring to deliver personalized, effective, and engaging math instruction. By focusing on deep conceptual understanding and continuous assessment, Thinkster ensures that students not only improve their math skills but also build confidence and reduce frustration. This comprehensive approach makes Thinkster an ideal partner for schools looking to enhance their math education programs.


The high-impact tutoring provider wins large district and state partnerships to address the literacy and numeracy crisis among K-8 students

Building on its success within New York City Public Schools, the largest school district in the country, Braintrust Tutors is now well-positioned to extend support to tens of thousands of high-risk students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Boston Public Schools, Detroit Public Schools Community District, and across the state of Tennessee.


High-impact tutoring is one of the most promising approaches for increasing student engagement and learning. Paraprofessionals already in schools can be excellent tutors during the school day if well supported with instructional materials and dedicated time for tutoring. This approach effectively addresses student academic gaps early, particularly in lower elementary classrooms. 

New research from Stanford University has brought a ray of hope for Washington, D.C.’s students, especially Black children and those from low-income families. The research revealed that the city’s substantial investment in a tutoring initiative has borne fruit in its first year, significantly boosting academic performance and narrowing the persistent gaps in reading and math that have disproportionately affected these groups.


High-Impact Tutoring: Family & Caregiver Toolkit for School Districts
New Mexico education Secretary Arsenio Romero discussed tutoring with Stanford University researcher Susanna Loeb at a May conference.

In the admirable rush to support students in the wake of pandemic-era learning loss, schools quickly implemented tutoring initiatives—with varying degrees of success.

Luckily, studies show that students who participate in high-impact tutoring can experience more than 40% and 200% of growth in reading and math proficiency, respectively. Meanwhile, K-12 leaders say this form of tutoring is increasing teacher retention and recruitment in their districts.

In this webinar, education leaders will hear first-hand accounts of successful high-impact tutoring models from a district’s chief academic officer. Also, field research experts from institutions, including Stanford University, and professionals who collaborate directly with district decision-makers will present case studies and stats on how to sustain high-impact tutoring to make a lasting effect on student learning, school culture, and educator job satisfaction.


What do teachers have to say about high-impact tutoring? Teacher buy-in is of vast importance when implementing high-impact tutoring into the school day. Who would know the benefits of High-Impact Tutoring better than educators? Hear from them directly about what makes effective tutors, the importance of building strong relationships, and why representation matters.

NSSA's Educator Tutoring Advisory Group (Maurice Telesford, Estefania Rios, Toni Hicks, and Katie Allen) are saying about High-Impact Tutoring


Notably, research by Susanna Loeb (Stanford University) revealed that tutoring methods and strategies can vary dramatically both in their design features and student outcomes. Loeb’s team of researchers discovered that in particular “high impact” tutoring strategies have demonstrated statistically significant effects on student learning in math and reading. High impact tutoring contains the following features:

  • One-on-one tutoring (or with very small groups)
  • Tutoring content is aligned with in-class instruction
  • Students receive tutoring at least three times per week from the same tutor
  • Tutors are professionally trained 

Urban Tutors is a nonprofit organization dedicated to tutoring children online with a concentration within the NYC area. Our tutors are passionately committed to teaching children the NYC curriculum, inspiring and empowering students to become more enthusiastic and motivated learners. As students from the top high schools in the city, we confidently bridge the gap between understanding and mastery.


The IRC in Denver's Youth Education team is excited to announce the completion of their pilot program of Tutoring Together! The teams' interest in this particular program - with the goal to support client teens with their school work, English language acquisition, and adjustment to school expectations in the USA - was partly born out of feedback from a IRC in Denver Client Voice focus group, in which teens strongly advocated for their need of more personalized English language training.


/*-->*/ /*-->*/ Teach For America Ignite strategically aligns high-impact tutoring to your schools’ goals to accelerate what you are working on with students. Ignite offers virtual, small-group, high dosage instruction focused on elementary literacy, middle school math, or post-secondary access.