This resource clarifies the definition of high-impact tutoring and how this definition does and does not align with other types of tutoring programs. This resource also outlines why the difference in each definition is important to consider for OST providers, and how this clarity can support OST staff, families, caregivers, and students with navigating academic resources based on individual student needs.
What is High-Impact Tutoring?
High-Impact Tutoring is tutoring that has directly demonstrated significant gains in student learning through state-of-the-art research studies or tutoring that has characteristics proven to accelerate student learning. High-Impact Tutoring responds to students' individual needs and complements their classroom curriculum.
The key elements of high-impact tutoring are:
- Tutor: Students work with a consistent tutor who is supported by ongoing oversight and coaching.
- Instruction: Tutoring sessions include a minimum of three sessions per week in small groups. Materials are high quality and aligned with state standards.
- Learning Integration: High-impact tutoring is embedded in schools either during the school day or immediately before or after the school day.
- Data Use: Data informs tutoring sessions.
- Equity, Safety, Cohesion: High-Impact tutoring programs are grounded in Equity, ensure Safety of students and program elements and leadership work together creating a Cohesive well-run program.
Our organization offers after-school tutoring. How do I know if it is “high-impact” tutoring or not?
Most out-of-school time programming involves some elements of academic enrichment or support. The table below can provide greater clarity on the degree to which your current tutoring program meets the research-based definition of high-impact tutoring.
| Is | Is Not |
|---|---|
| Consistent tutor | Different tutor assigned each time |
| Relationship focus | Question-resolution focus |
| Data-informed instruction | Homework help |
| Focused on acceleration | Focused on remediation |
| Regularly schedule a minimum of three times per week | As needed |
| Accessible to all eligible students | Relies on parent take up and/or payment |
Our organization values providing students with homework help. Why is this not considered high-impact tutoring?
Homework help and high-impact tutoring are both valuable programs to offer students during out-of-school time, however their structure, goals, and outcomes are different. Homework help provides an opportunity for students to complete school assignments with guidance available from a caring adult. Homework help is often held in larger groups and may have a different caring adult available from day to day. Students must bring their homework and must know what they need help on to receive that help. The outcome for homework help is that the student has completed their assigned homework and is prepared for the next day of school.
High-impact tutoring takes place in groups of no more than 4 students who are intentionally grouped based on their academic needs. Tutoring is provided by a consistent, trained tutor and the content of each tutoring session is designed by the tutor to meet each students' individual needs as understood through academic assessments. The outcome for high-impact tutoring is learning acceleration in a particular content area.
A study from the RAND corporation on the Value of Out of School Time Programs found similar results:
A key element of multipurpose after-school programs, including those funded by 21st CCLC, is to provide youth with time and support to complete homework… While some studies have found stronger rates of homework completion or homework being completed to a teacher’s satisfaction, none of these studies found an effect on academic outcomes as measured by standardized reading or math scores. This pattern is consistent across the large-scale studies of elementary and middle school OST programs referenced earlier using experimental and quasi-experimental methods as well. (pp. 11-12)
For more on what makes high-impact tutoring effective, please see this overview (presentation, video)
Should my organization stop offering homework help?
OST providers should continue to respond to the needs of their local community, including offering homework help as needed based on their local context. In addition to homework help, many OST providers have begun to offer and strengthen high-impact tutoring programs to address individual student learning needs that may not be addressed through homework help.