Partnering with a provider can introduce expertise, scalability, and efficiency to a district’s program implementation. Providers reduce the burden on schools to develop and manage tutoring from scratch, offering trained tutors, prepared instructional materials, established program protocols, and more.
The content is organized into five components:
- 4.1 Envisioning the Ideal Tutoring Provider: This section shares tips and tools concerning selection criteria and marketplace insights to help develop a vision for your ideal tutoring provider.
- 4.2 Provider Sourcing and Request for Proposals: This section gives you resources to generate a potential provider list, assess the need for a RFP, and design a RFP.
- 4.3 Provider Comparison and Selection: This section equips you with recommendations for provider comparison and selection.
- 4.4 Contracting with a Provider: This section has content related to district contract policies, development of a contract, agreement, or Memorandum of Understanding, and data-sharing agreements to help you create a contract with an external provider.
- 4.5 Collaborating with a Provider: This section provides resources to facilitate a proactive and relationship-based collaboration between the district/school and provider(s).
Research Insights
Several research studies provide the following guidance to create effective tutoring programs:
4.1 Envisioning the Ideal Tutoring Provider
- At a minimum, selection criteria should align with the seven elements for high-impact tutoring that outline the research-based practices.
4.2 Provider Sourcing and Request for Proposals
- Including clear expectations for evidence of effectiveness in the requests for proposals (RFPs) helps ensure that selected partners align with the evidence-based program and are more likely to improve student outcomes.
4.4 Contracting with a Provider
- When districts contract with providers, public funds are used, requiring clear oversight and transparency about outcomes. Transparency supports decisions on contract renewals.
4.5 Collaborating with a Provider
- Partnering with a provider can enhance tutoring effectiveness by aligning district and provider responsibilities, fostering data-driven decision-making, and ensuring clear accountability for outcomes. Providers benefit from increased engagement with districts, structured accountability, and the ability to showcase measurable student gains, while districts gain greater oversight and transparency in evaluating program impact.
Read the Full Research
Lu, A., Groom-Thomas, L., Waymack, N., & Loeb, S. (2024). Outcomes-Based Contracting for Tutoring: Insights and Recommendations.
National Student Support Accelerator. (n.d.). What is high-impact tutoring? Retrieved from https://studentsupportaccelerator.org/sites/default/files/Presentation%20-%20What%20is%20High-Impact%20Tutoring.pdf
Tutoring Quality Standards
High-quality tutoring programs align with key standards that support effective implementation and student success. Learn more about the research and application of the tutoring quality standards relevant to this section: