Developing a strong tutor pipeline requires more than just recruitment — it demands intentional strategies grounded in research to ensure tutors are prepared, supported, and equipped to deliver meaningful results for students. This section supports Element 1:Tutor of the Tutoring Quality Standards and is organized into three areas:
Sustaining positive organizational health and culture can be challenging as an organization grows and expands. A robust business model hinges on a clear mission, reinforced by effective governance and oversight to ensure alignment across all branches. Additionally, creating a long-term sustainability plan that addresses staffing, funding, and evaluation is crucial for maintaining a thriving tutoring operation. Section 2.3 addresses developing a strong mission and vision, creating effective governance structures, and ensuring financial accountability and sustainability.
High-impact tutoring programs thrive when leadership structures are well-defined, leaders are equipped to coach tutors, and professional growth is prioritized at every level. Clear leadership and continuous professional development foster strong program management and higher tutor retention. Section 2.2 focuses on ways to define leadership roles, build professional development systems, and implement performance management processes to sustain tutoring quality.
Intentionally designed high-impact tutoring programs deliver stronger, more equitable learning outcomes for students while aligning seamlessly with broader student goals. A strong foundation built on community needs with a clearly defined logic model can result in more strategic decision-making as implementation begins. Section 2.1 covers how to conduct community needs assessments, develop logic models, and design program models aligned to research-based best practices.
A clear, compelling vision inspires staff and cultivates a culture of collaboration within a tutoring organization. It also guides both the leadership team and tutors as they navigate their decision-making processes and focus on achieving specific, impactful student outcomes. This section supports Element 6: Cohesion of the Tutoring Quality Standards and is organized into three areas:
This Toolkit for Tutoring Programs is designed for organizations seeking to implement high-impact tutoring programs. While tutoring program leaders are the intended primary audience, state educational officials and school administrators will benefit from leveraging the many resources in the Toolkit.
The Toolkit draws from research and from the deep knowledge of districts, tutoring providers, and other experts across the country and is one of several interrelated research-backed tools the National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) provides to make it easier for states, districts, schools, and nonprofits to develop and implement quality, high-impact tutoring programs.