Tutor

Why One-on-One Tutoring Outperforms Two-on-One

A new study by Stanford researchers Hsiaolin Hsieh, David Gormley, Carly D. Robinson, and Susanna Loeb suggests why one-on-one tutoring has been found to produce double the gains in student learning than two-on-one tutoring.

Analyzing 16,629 transcripts from 2022-23 school year tutoring sessions from an earlier study that established the greater gains under one-on-one tutoring, the researchers examined how tutors allocated their time and attention across both one-on-one and two-on-one formats. The tutoring sessions focused on early literacy and served kindergarten through second grade students, with 510 students receiving one-on-one tutoring and 570 students receiving two-on-one tutoring. All students met with their tutor online for 20 minutes during the school day, four times per week.

Tutor CoPilot: A Human-AI Approach for Scaling Real-Time Expertise

Generative AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), can expand access to expert guidance in domains like education, where such support is often limited. We introduce Tutor CoPilot, a Human-AI system that models expert thinking to assist tutors in real time. In a randomized controlled trial involving more than 700 tutors and 1,000 students from underserved communities, students with tutors using Tutor CoPilot were 4 percentage points more likely to master math topics (p0.01). Gains were highest for students of lower-rated tutors (+9 p.p.), and the tool is low-cost (about $20/tutor/year). Analysis of over 350,000 messages shows Tutor CoPilot promotes effective pedagogy, increasing the use of probing questions and reducing generic praise. In this work we show the potential for human-AI systems to scale expertise in a real-world domain, bridge gaps in skills, and create a future where high-quality education is accessible to all students.

Shoelace Learning

Here are some ways Shoelace Learning specifically addresses gaps in adolescent learning:

Adaptive, individualized support: Shoelace uses an initial placement assessment, tracks reading comprehension levels (RCLs), and then adapts the content to each student’s current level and needs. For example, they support readers from grades 3–8 who may still have gaps in comprehension.

EduRaptor LLC

EduRaptor Program Design Badge

EduRaptor provides high-impact, personalized K–12 tutoring designed to accelerate student learning in Literacy and Math. Our program is built on the Science of Reading, state-aligned math standards, and MTSS frameworks to deliver targeted support that addresses each student’s unique needs. Tutoring is delivered virtually by certified, experienced teachers in either 1:1 or small-group formats. Each student begins with a pre-assessment to identify strengths and gaps, and progress is continuously monitored through formative checks and data dashboards accessible to schools and families.

StudentNest

Final Badge—StudentNest

StudentNest partners with agencies nationwide to deliver high-impact, equitable, ESSA-aligned tutoring that accelerates learning and closes opportunity gaps. We have provided research-based, individualized and small-group instruction in reading, ELA, math, and specialized support for Students with Disabilities and English Learners. Through trained tutors using data-driven, standards-aligned lessons, StudentNest offers flexible in-person, virtual, and hybrid models to meet the diverse needs of all learners. 
Our Impact

Virtual tutoring is here to stay. New research points to ways to make it better.

Two studies from Stanford University’s National Student Support Accelerator released Wednesday used natural language processing technologies to review transcripts from tens of thousands of hours of virtual tutoring sessions. Their goal: to better understand exactly what happens between tutors and students in these sessions.

One study examines the impact of disruptions as revealed through tutor comments, such as “You can’t see me? I’m not sure why you can’t see me” or “Sorry. Did you say something? It was hard to hear.”

Researchers found that 19% of available time was lost to disruptions, whether from technological issues, distracted students, or background noise. Time lost to disruptions was even greater when tutors were working with more than one student, especially if one of the students entered the session late.

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Coaching4Change

Coaching4Change (C4C) recruits, hires, trains, and places College Mentors in K-12 schools to support academic, attendance, and behavioral/social-emotional growth. C4C provides ongoing professional development to College Mentors to build their career-readiness skills and professional networks. Our dual impact is described below:

1. Support high-need K-12 students with academic and social-emotional learning in urban and gateway communities.

Teachers On Demand, INC

Teachers On Demand (TOD) provides high-impact, in-person and virtual tutoring designed to accelerate learning and close achievement gaps for K-12 students. Our program deploys certified teachers and trained tutors who work side-by-side with classroom educators during the school day to deliver individualized and small-group instruction aligned with state standards. Each tutor receives structured onboarding, 40 hours of initial training, and ongoing professional development focused on the Science of Reading, culturally responsive practices, and data-driven instruction.

North Carolina Volunteers in Public Schools

The North Carolina Volunteers in Public Schools is a 501(c)3 organization that recruits volunteer "Reading Buddies" for Brunswick County public schools. Volunteers are assigned to K-3 teachers who provide them with students to tutor, decodable books, and related materials. Volunteers typically work with two volunteers for 30 minutes each. Outside of being a Reading Buddy, volunteers are encouraged to support teachers by helping them with administrative work and occasionally providing duty free lunches.

Joyful Readers

Final Badge—Joyful Readers

Our tutors are AmeriCorps service members who dedicate a full year to advancing early literacy. They begin with a month of intensive September training that combines AIM Pathways to Proficient Reading coursework, Wilson Language Training Fundations Launch Workshops, and repeated practice of instructional activities to ensure readiness. After training, tutors are placed in small teams at elementary schools, where they provide daily 30-minute tutoring sessions to pairs of students.

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