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Writer's pictureRyan Smith

High Dosage Tutoring Can Help Academic Recovery: Four Considerations to Keep in Mind as You Plan


High Dosage Tutoring Can Help Academic Recovery: Four Considerations to Keep in Mind as You Plan

The impact of school closures during the pandemic on student outcomes – including test scores, chronic absenteeism, and behavior – presents a challenging picture. More than two years since the shift to online learning, the road to recovery has been slower than everyone hoped.

 

In California, a study by Stanford University’s Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) indicates significant learning setbacks, particularly among low-income students, students with disabilities, students of color, and English language learners. This trend is not isolated to Golden State however, underscoring the need for effective nationwide strategies.

 

One such promising strategy is 'high dosage' or 'high impact' tutoring, recognized for its potential to improve academic outcomes. The Biden Administration's "Improving Student Achievement" agenda for 2024 highlights this approach, which, despite implementation challenges and costs, has shown considerable promise in the research.

 

For school and district leaders, the concept of offering tutoring programs to support students is well-established. Yet, the renewed emphasis on this topic presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly as leaders navigate the intricacies of launching new high dosage tutoring programs or revitalizing existing ones. Drawing on my experiences as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, and high school principal, I offer four key considerations to guide these efforts.

 

Reach Those Who Need It Most

 

A successful high dosage tutoring program targets students who need the additional support the most. Using a data-driven approach, school and district leaders should identify these students based on a variety of indicators including state test scores, local assessments, grades, and teacher feedback, which provides insights into their specific learning needs. Regularly updating this identification process ensures it adapts to students' evolving needs and progress.

 

Beyond identification, motivating students to attend tutoring, actively engage in it, and ultimately return for more is crucial. This involves reframing tutoring as a positive tool for academic improvement and achieving personal goals, not as a penalty. Another critical aspect of this is creating a tutoring space that is inviting and conducive to learning – a place where students feel like they belong. Additionally, ensure the program is inclusive and adaptable to cater to students with diverse learning needs, such as English Language Learners or those with learning disabilities.

 

Incentives and rewards tailored to students' interests, along with parental involvement in goal setting, also help with attendance, participation, and student engagement. Celebrating all forms of progress, big or small, boosts student motivation and confidence, emphasizing the value of their efforts. Regular assessment and adaptation of tutoring strategies are necessary to maintain and improve engagement over time.

 

Flexibility is Key

 

The success of a high dosage tutoring program depends on its flexibility to fit the varied schedules of students. Balancing sports, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, and family obligations often limits their availability for tutoring if it only takes place before or after school. Additionally, many students rely on their parents or others for transportation, further complicating scheduling. These barriers make it critical for tutoring programs to accommodate students' schedules by offering sessions during weekends, holidays, and outside typical school hours, such as early mornings or late evenings. This adaptability ensures broader student accessibility and participation.

 

In addition to flexible timing, addressing diverse academic needs is crucial, especially in secondary education where subject specialization is important. This can be managed by diversifying the tutor pool to cover various subjects or employing technology for virtual or on-demand tutoring (more on that below). These measures ensure students get help in the areas they struggle with most.

 

Integrating tutoring into the regular school day is another strategy some schools are exploring. While it offers improved access, this approach requires careful planning to prevent it from becoming an ineffective "study hall." Challenges like adjusting the school curriculum and maintaining a low tutor-to-student ratio need to be thoughtfully managed. Despite these challenges, there are successful examples of schools implementing this model effectively.

 

Like Great Teaching, Great Tutoring is an Art

 

Effective high-dosage tutoring, much like great teaching, requires the art of personalizing learning to each student's unique needs, interests, and learning styles. This personalization is key to engaging and effective tutoring. It is about making complex concepts relatable and understandable.

 

In high-dosage tutoring, it is essential for tutors to skillfully blend a compassionate understanding of each student's unique background with an effective teaching approach. This involves using the Socratic Method, a technique of guiding students to answers through thoughtful questioning. This approach promotes inquiry and dialogue, fostering critical thinking and a deeper grasp of concepts. Tutors must be attuned to the student's individual experiences and mindset while consistently steering the learning process towards achieving clear educational objectives. By ensuring active engagement and internalization of concepts, rather than passive information reception, this balanced approach not only supports and personalizes the learning experience but also cultivates active learning and critical thinking skills, leading to significant advancements in learning.

 

School and district leaders should focus on selecting and supporting tutors who not only have subject matter expertise but also possess the necessary skills and disposition for effective tutoring, including the ability to facilitate learning through inquiry. This involves providing ongoing professional development and regular feedback to ensure tutors remain motivated and effective in employing such teaching methods.

 

Virtual and On-Demand Options Should be a Part of the Solution

 

Virtual and on-demand tutoring options should be regarded as essential components of a comprehensive high-dosage tutoring strategy. They offer significant flexibility, allowing students to access tutoring whenever and wherever needed, catering to their individual schedules and needs. This adaptability is especially beneficial in aligning tutoring with each student's unique academic and personal commitments.

 

The personalized nature of virtual tutoring enhances its effectiveness. Tutors can tailor their teaching styles to each student's learning preferences, making the sessions more engaging and productive. This approach also facilitates one-to-one interactions, ensuring targeted support for each student's specific academic challenges.

 

Incorporating virtual tutoring also involves parents more directly in their children's learning process. They can monitor and support their child's progress, fostering a collaborative educational environment among students, parents, and tutors.

 

For schools and districts, virtual tutoring represents a sustainable and scalable solution. It allows the expansion of tutoring services without the need for additional physical resources or significant increases in staffing. This scalability makes it a practical complement to in-person tutoring, providing a flexible framework that can be adjusted to meet the varying needs of different educational settings. When I was Assistant Superintendent in Paramount at the height of the pandemic and Superintendent in Monrovia in its aftermath, I found the support of Paper, a high quality provider, to be an invaluable tool for making high dosage tutoring efforts work well for students, parents, and educators alike.

 

Final Thoughts

 

When planning a high dosage tutoring programs, it is important to address the allocation of responsibilities. It is unrealistic and counterproductive to let the weight of these programs rest solely on the already full plates of school principals. These dedicated leaders play a pivotal role in our educational systems, but they are often stretched thin by the multitude of tasks they already shoulder. A shared leadership model that includes the support of educators from both the school and the district office is a necessary element for ensuring its effectiveness and sustainability over time.


In addressing the educational challenges post-pandemic, high dosage tutoring emerges as a pivotal strategy. This article has highlighted some key aspects to address along the implementation journey: targeted support, flexibility, high quality tutors, and the integration of virtual and on-demand options. For school and district leaders, the path forward involves harnessing these elements to build effective programs that are not only effective, but also sustainable over time. By doing so, they can play a crucial role in shaping a responsive educational system that caters to all students, fostering an environment where each learner will thrive and succeed.


Dr. Ryan Smith, with 20 years of leadership experience in public education, is dedicated to ensuring every student receives an outstanding education and reaches their highest potential. Through his service as Superintendent of the Monrovia Unified School District and in other key leadership roles, his commitment to putting students first has driven success and positive change across various schools and districts. Learn more about Dr. Smith at his website, on LinkedIn, or X.

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