Does tutoring work?

If you’ve found your way to this page, you’re likely considering tutoring for your child. Before you decide to move forward and spend valuable resources like time and money on tutoring, one question you may be asking yourself is, “Does tutoring work?”

A 2017 publication in the Review of Educational Research analyzed 101 different studies from 2000-2014 and they found that tutoring was the most effective instructional method from all of the studies!

What makes tutoring effective?

Of course, not all tutoring programs are created equal. In 2021, staff at Brown University and the University of Virginia collaborated to publish an article to evaluate what components make tutoring most effective. They determined the following factors are important:

• Frequency- research shows that tutoring is most effective when it happens with a regular frequency of at least three times per week. Also, it’s important to note that change won’t happen overnight. The most effective tutoring programs last at least 10 weeks.

• Group size- one-to-one tutoring is the most effective but groups of up to 3-4 students can be effective.

• Personnel- certified teachers make the best tutors. This makes sense due to their professional background and training in education. That said, volunteers can also be effective tutors if they receive intensive training. 

In considering students with diverse learning needs, a 2001 study by the US Department of Education stated that students with disabilities “require special tutoring services, which can be provided by professionals”.

• Focus- studies have shown that tutoring work for all grade levels and all subjects. There is the most evidence of efficacy (and the most studies) for reading tutoring in early grades (K-2) and math tutoring for older grades.

• Measurement- effective tutoring programs should use informal assessments and data to inform instruction and continue tailor the program to the individual needs of the students.

• Relationship- tutoring programs tend to demonstrate more positive outcomes when there is a consistent tutor for the whole program. The Brown University publication further states that, “Tutors that meet regularly with students have the opportunity to get to know individual students’ strengths and weaknesses, while developing caring tutor-student relationships.”

• Delivery Mode- While most research has been conducted on in-person tutoring, there is emerging evidence that online tutoring is also effective!

• Curriculum- when possible, tutoring curriculum should align with classroom content so that tutors can support and reinforce classroom instruction. According to Brown University:

Tutors can take on the role of catching struggling students up, while taking some of the pressure off classroom teachers and allowing them to maintain the pace of their instruction. However, tutors need to ensure they build foundational skills while making connections to the content students are learning in class.

It is also important to note that remediation, or giving students simpler materials, results in students falling further behind.

If you want effective, research-based instruction, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Chicago Home Tutor, our tutoring services follow best practices in that they are:

• One-on-one

• As frequent as works for your family (our standard recommendation is at least twice per week)

• Conducted by certified teachers

• Informed by ongoing data and informal assessment and modified as needed

• Consistent with the same tutor across the school year to allow your child and tutor time to build a strong relationship

• In person and online

• Aligned to the classroom curriculum (when that makes the most sense for your child’s needs)

We provide tutoring services throughout the Chicagoland area from the far north suburbs to Northwest Indiana to Aurora, including Arlington Heights, Naperville, Schaumburg, and Elgin.

Please contact us if you’d like to work together to start turning your child’s learning challenges into life-changing achievements!

About the author:

Laura Reber is a school psychologist and founder of Chicago Home Tutor. Chicago Home Tutor has helped hundreds of students turn learning challenges into life-changing achievements.