District Playbook for High-Impact Tutoring

Launching your program in the right school can be the key to transforming a one-year initiative into a lasting educational movement. High-impact tutoring programs that showcase tangible results endure, serving as a powerful equalizer among diverse school populations. Selecting schools in high-need communities that are committed to fostering student change accelerates enthusiastic program adoption and collaborative problem-solving efforts. Section 6.1 provides considerations for school selection criteria and the creation of a school communication plan.

Regardless of whether you chose to partner with an external provider or Build Your Own high-impact tutoring program, implementation decisions remain the same. High-impact tutoring can be widely customized while maintaining the pillar characteristics that create student impact. Conducting regular data reviews and making actionable, data-driven decisions based on the program’s initial vision and goals will help embed your tutoring program as a vital and enduring part of your district.

The content is organized into five components:

Every tutor needs to do more than just follow a curriculum; they must be trained to build strong relationships, create safe and supportive environments, manage distractions, implement effective interventions, analyze data, and leverage deep content knowledge. Comprehensive pre-service training lays a vital foundation, but ongoing coaching that continuously sharpens and revitalizes tutors' skills will not only enhance their quality and retention, but also significantly accelerate student growth.

Student motivation and engagement thrive in a safe environment fostered by supportive adults, such as tutors. The strength of the tutor-student relationship is one of the core reasons high-impact tutoring is so effective. Your recruitment and selection processes should lead to tutors that will cultivate student safety, engagement, and academic growth. The skills and attributes specified in the tutor job description significantly influence the quality of candidates available for selection.

Given that high-impact tutoring is a relationship-based, individualized instruction model, it is sometimes best served by the people and resources closest to the student. Before you decide to build your own tutoring program, identify pre-existing characteristics of your district that can create a firm foundation for your program. Once you have affirmed your decision to build your own tutoring program, clearly allocating responsibilities and breaking down critical tasks can ease the transition into a high-impact tutoring initiative.

Building your own high-impact tutoring program from the ground up can create a sustainable, customized, and integrated experience. Creating an internal program by leaning on existing resources and school strengths can streamline the development process by eliminating the need to communicate with an external provider.  This section explains essential elements required for district-led high-impact tutoring programs. 

The content is organized into five components:

When two teams unite around a shared vision, time is needed to foster that relationship and synchronize efforts. The optimal environment for student success through high-impact tutoring is built on transparent, relationship-driven, and proactive collaboration. This collaborative foundation is dependent on a robust communication plan that prioritizes not just open dialogue, but targeted conversations on critical decisions that drive student impact.