Saga Education

Program

Saga Education serves historically underserved young people through personalized, consistent, caring, and best-in-the-world tutorials that result in youth gaining confidence and academic strength so that they see, pursue, and realize their grandest dreams. Saga Education has provided high-impact tutoring services in secondary math since 2014. 

States of Operation: SC, IL, NY, and DC 

Subjects Offered: Algebra I

Grade Levels: 9th & 10th grades 

Tutor Type: AmeriCorps volunteers 

Setting: During school 

Delivery Mode: Blended in-person virtual 

Tutor-Student Ratio: 1:2 (Saga Traditional), 1:6 (Saga Online), 1:4 (Saga Blended)

# of Sessions Per Week: 5 

Number of Minutes Per Session: 40-60

RCT or QED Study Conducted: RCT 

Available Training 

Training Overview: Saga Coach is an online evidence-based tutor training program that builds foundational skills for effective tutoring independent of grade and subject. This serves as an initial onboarding for tutors. 

Training: Saga Coach 

Credentials: Individuals who complete the training receive a certificate of completion. 

Format

  • 18 Modules (Estimated Time: 4 hours) 
  • Self-paced online modules with video content, tutor reflection, and interaction opportunities, including role-playing.

Module Overview (See complete scope): 

  • Relationships: Dive into your relationship with education, students, and feedback. (1 hour and 50 minutes) 
    • What Does it Mean to Be a Tutor? 
    • Your Education Experience 
    • Identifying Blind Spots 
    • Growth Mindset
    • Tools for Tutoring Relationships 
    • Joy Factor 
    • Right Relationships Part I 
    • Right Relationships Part II 
  • Ratio: Learn the components of a high-quality tutorial and practical tips for deep engagement. (1 hour and 10 minutes) 
    • Tools for Tutoring - Ratio
    • What Makes a High-Quality Tutorial? 
    • Checks for Understanding 
    • Collaborative Learning 
    • Differentiation & ZPD 
  • Rigor: Maintain high expectations, keys to lesson planning, and student work analysis. (1 hour) 
    • Tools for Tutoring - Rigor 
    • Rigor 
    • Intentional Lesson Planning 
    • Analyzing Student Work 
    • Maintaining High Expectations 

Recommendations/Notes: While the training is content agnostic, the modules are primarily illustrated with secondary math examples or secondary student scenarios, and tutors are asked to apply the principles they learn to secondary practice examples. The content is valuable and relevant to all grades and content areas. However, providers may consider developing examples relevant to the grade level and subject area that tutors are assigned. 

Additionally, tutors must complete Saga Coach modules in the order they are presented. Access to the next module is granted only when a tutor completes the previous module. Providers can advise tutors to move quickly through modules they do not want tutors to take (e.g., fast-forwarding videos, writing one-word answers, etc.).