Purpose: This tool guides districts in designing and implementing effective pre-service training for tutors. It integrates foundational design principles and universal training topics to ensure that tutors are well-prepared for success. By following this approach, districts can create pre-service trainings that equip tutors with the knowledge, expertise, and mindsets necessary to make a difference in student learning.
| Step 1: Establish a Foundation |
- Define Knowledge, Skills, and Mindsets
- Map out the specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for your tutoring program.
- Assess tutors' existing competencies to identify training needs and close skill gaps.
- Explicitly connect training objectives to curriculum goals and instructional integrity.
- Align each training session with a clear, achievable objective tied to these requirements.
- Blend Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning
- Use asynchronous components for information-heavy content (e.g., pre-work, online courses).
- Dedicate synchronous time to curriculum-focused skill development, such as unpacking lesson plans and practicing instructional strategies.
- Use synchronous sessions to build relationship-building skills through discussions, role-playing, and interactive workshops.
- Incorporate Equity
- Ground training in principles of equity by including sessions on identity exploration, uncovering implicit biases, and understanding systemic racism within local contexts.
- Foster self-reflection and open dialogue to build inclusive mindsets.
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| Step 2: Address Universal Training Topics |
- Tutor Expectations
- Define success explicitly for tutors, both verbally and in writing.
- Provide opportunities for tutors to ask questions and clarify expectations.
- Ensure tutors know who to contact for support and what resource materials are available.
- Content Proficiency
- Teach curriculum-aligned strategies for explaining concepts, addressing misconceptions, and preparing pre-session plans.
- Introduce specialized knowledge or skills unique to your program (e.g., early literacy techniques, models used to understand mathematics concepts).
- Include curriculum-based professional learning to ensure tutors understand how to implement lessons with integrity.
- If your district has any required content training for teachers, identify opportunities for tutors to participate to strengthen connections to core instruction.
- Train tutors on creating lesson plans based on student data if their role requires lesson planning.
- Effective Facilitation
- Build skills for session facilitation, including warm-ups, clear directions, and scaffolded questions.
- Use role-playing and feedback to refine techniques focusing on essential content and concepts.
- Data Practices
- Familiarize tutors with data-collection tools and student privacy guidelines.
- Provide training on analyzing and leveraging data to inform curriculum-aligned adjustments and improve student outcomes.
- Use additional materials to address student misconceptions available in your district’s high-quality instructional materials.
- Supporting Students with Learning and Thinking Differences
- Practice strategies for engaging students with diverse learning needs, such as language scaffolds for ELLs.
- Incorporate debriefs and feedback to enhance tutor effectiveness.
- Team-Building and Networking Activities
- Promote a positive culture through icebreakers, affinity spaces, and team-building exercises.
- Highlight the program’s mission, vision, and values during interactive sessions.
- Train tutors on how to build relationships with teachers, school staff, and parents to create a collaborative learning environment.
- Tutor-Student Relationships
- Embed relationship-building practices into all training sessions.
- Emphasize professionalism and effective communication.
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| Step 3: Include Model-Specific Training Topics |
- Virtual or Blended Tutoring
- Demonstrate online platform features and troubleshooting techniques.
- Train on virtual behavior management and engagement strategies.
- Small-Group Facilitation
- Provide tools for creating data-informed student groups.
- Teach strategies for managing discussions and redirecting off-task behavior.
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| Step 4: Evaluate and Iterate |
- Gather Feedback
- Equip tutors with strategies to manage and support pre-assigned student groups effectively.
- Teach techniques for guiding discussions and redirecting off-task behavior.
- Provide tools for understanding group dynamics and adapting instruction to meet diverse student needs.
- Use feedback from tutors, administrators, teachers, students, and families to adapt training materials and approaches.
- Align with Outcomes
- Monitor students’ academic progress and tutor performance to measure training effectiveness.
- Refine training sessions to address common academic misconceptions to ensure alignment with program goals.
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