3.2 Providing Preservice Training for Tutors

• Develop a Tutor Handbook outlining program goals, code of conduct, professionalism, instructional expectations, student data privacy, and communication protocols. Include common scenarios (e.g., late students, behavior concerns, missed sessions) with appropriate responses.

• Provide an organizational hierarchy that includes reporting structure, absence procedures, and how to request support.

• Create a concise one-page summary of expectations and frequently asked questions for quick reference and provide asynchronous training for later access. 

• Facilitate a live, interactive orientation to discuss expectations and answer questions, incorporating a Q&A segment where tutors can submit inquiries in advance or anonymously.

• Provide intensive training, combining both synchronous and assessed asynchronous components that cover daily routines, session structure, and technology use.

• Define points of contact for ongoing questions, support, and reporting.

• Provide program-specific training that covers essential content knowledge, effective teaching strategies, and facilitation techniques. Consult the Tutor Training Library for free tutor training modules.

Video: So, You Want to Start a Tutoring Organization? Part 1: Decision Making

Example: Designing and Planning Preservice Training for Providers

Example: Metro Nashville Public Schools Tutor Preservice Training Modules

Reading: Early Literacy Tutor Training Recipe Book

Database: Tutor Training Library

Highlighted training specific to diverse learning needs:

• Supporting All Learners with HQIM
• Avoiding Unconscious Assumptions

Website: Saga Coach’s Preservice Training Course

• Prepare tutors to explain concepts in multiple ways, identify students’ content misconceptions, and proactively plan for them.

• Engage tutors in structuring their pre-session prep time, with content strategies, and development of personalized lesson plans.

• Introduce specialized instructional knowledge (e.g., science of reading).

• Train tutors in platform usage and student behavior management.

• Train tutors in the organizational culture of the existing district or program (e.g., principles, values, and how to effectively contribute to the environment)

• Train tutors on the basics of IEPs and 504 plans: goals, accommodations, and legal protection.

Example: Anatomy of an IEP

One-Pager: The Universal Design for Learning Guidelines

Website: Reading Rockets: Evidence Based Instruction in an MTSS Framework

One-Pager: Google Accessibility Guide

Website: Discover Windows accessibility features

Website: Turn on Chromebook accessibility features

• Ensure tutors recognize different categories of disabilities and how they may affect learning (e.g., ADHD, SLD, autism).

• Teach tutors to respect boundaries and follow guidance provided by special education staff.

• Provide specific instructional practices for Special Education (e.g., check for understanding frequently; break tasks into smaller steps; provide visuals, manipulatives, or multi sensory tools).

• Train tutors on the stages of language acquisition (pre-production to fluency).

• Ensure tutors know how to distinguish between language-related errors vs. content misunderstandings.

• Provide specific instructional practices for use with ELLs (e.g., use visuals, gestures, and realia; pre-teach vocabulary; repeat/simplify key directions).

Website: WIDA Can Do Descriptors, Grades K–12

Website: ¡Colorín, colorado! New to Teaching ELLs?

Website: Reading Rockets: English Language Learners

Reading: Scaffolds to Support English Language Learners in Writing and Discussion 
(Student Achievement Partners)

• Utilize case studies to model how data influences instructional decisions.

• Explain the differences between formative, summative, and diagnostic data.

• Provide examples of data tutors will encounter (e.g., exit tickets, benchmark assessments, attendance, confidence ratings).

• Demonstrate how to administer formative assessments for understanding (e.g., thumbs up/down, exit slips, mini-assessments).

• Provide simple tools (e.g., digital trackers, printed logs) and expectations for data entry that align with school systems to document formative assessment data.

• Create protocols for tutors, with the support of a coach, to review, analyze, and adjust future tutoring sessions based on data. Adjustments to sessions may include pacing, grouping, or strategies (e.g., reteach a skill, use a new scaffold).

Reading: Checking for Understanding Strategies Using Formative Assessments for Student Learning

Example: Sample Case Studies for Using Data

• Show how to integrate academic and adaptive indicators (e.g., student engagement, confidence).

• Incorporate feedback loops (from students, caregivers, and program leads).

• Celebrate and document improvements in student growth that result from intentional data-driven instruction.

• Emphasize student-tutor relationship building and guide the development of effective, professional relationships.

• Integrate relationship-building strategies throughout training.

Example: Relationship Building Question Bank

Example: "Who Am I?" Activity

• Train tutors on diverse learners and culturally responsive instructional practices.

Checklist: Accessibility

Reading: Educator Attention: How computational tools systematically identify the distribution of a key resource for students

Database: Tutor Training Library

Highlighted training specific to diverse learning needs:

• Supporting All Learners with HQIM
• Avoiding Unconscious Assumptions

• Embed cultural aspects within session materials to ensure relevance and inclusivity.

Website: 4 Ways to Elevate Cultural Responsiveness in a Materials Adoption

Template: Culturally Responsive English Language Arts Curriculum Scorecard

Take the free, 15-minute, and research-based Tutoring Organization Self-Assessment. This subsection addresses these tutoring quality standards and Self-Assessment indicators.