3.3 Delivering Coaching and Feedback for Tutors

High-impact tutoring thrives when tutors receive targeted coaching that reinforces effective practices, strengthens student-tutor relationships, and drives continuous improvement. Providing structured oversight, observation, and feedback cycles ensures tutors develop their skills and leads to stronger student outcomes. Section 3.3 covers in-service training, tutor oversight structures, tutoring observations, and coaching models that promote tutor success.

	Before You Begin
	Align support structures with the program’s tutoring model.

Coaching Structure and Scheduling
Key Recommendations	Corresponding Resources
Identify and implement oversight approaches, coaching models, and structures (e.g., organization-wide planning and capacity mapping for tutor oversight).	Checklist: Ongoing Tutor Training, Supervision, and Support Checklist for Providers
Designate a person or group responsible for tutor oversight.
Design the coach role to build the capacity of tutors to drive effective practices and student learning. Intensively train coaches in the coaching model, coaching best practices, and how to escalate issues.	Example: Reading Corps’ Coaching Specialist Job Description Example: North Carolina Education Corps: Learning Coach Job Description
Assign each coach a specific caseload of tutors to assist tutor-coach relationship building and provide consistent, targeted support.
Schedule bi-weekly feedback debriefs between tutors and coaches. Start with frequent debriefs and adjust frequency based on tutor experience, demonstrated growth, and tutoring model.

Tutor Coach Training
Key Recommendations	Corresponding Resources
Establish clear coaching expectations that prioritize the adult learning needs and perspectives of tutors. Utilize frameworks such as the Coaching Lenses Framework to guide coaching practices.	Reading: The Coaching Lenses
Codify guidance and structure for the coaching sessions. Provide coaches a process to collect and report data on the tutor’s progress from each coaching session.	Example: "6-Step" Feedback Guide
Provide coaches with strategies to build relationships with their tutors and foster a culture of open communication and feedback.	Reading: Cultivating Healthy Working Relationships with Teachers Reading: What is Trust? How Do We Build It?
Train coaches to help tutors deliver targeted support for specialized populations such as English Language Learners (ELLs) and Special Education (SPED).
Apply culturally responsive coaching strategies.	Website: Reflect on Your Own Biases Video: Culture of Coaching

In-Service Training
Key Recommendations	Corresponding Resources
Conduct ongoing in-service training for tutors that integrates observation and coaching, differentiated group coaching on targeted skills and peer support.	Example: Saga Tutor Training Topics
Reinforce and build upon concepts covered in tutor preservice training and in alignment to data trends identified during programming.
Provide continuous training for tutors in culturally relevant teaching practices.	Toolkit: Tutor Program Manager: Culturally Sustaining Teaching
Gather tutor feedback on in-service training through surveys.

Observation for Tutoring Standards
Key Recommendations	Corresponding Resources
Support tutors in setting S.M.A.R.T goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound).	Example: Reading Corps’ Phoneme Blending Intervention Integrity Observation Checklist Example: Reading Rescue’s Instructional Developmental Pathway Example: Reading Rescue’s Checklist for an Effective Reading Rescue Lesson
Assign a dedicated coach to observe tutors working directly with students.
Implement a standardized observation rubric or checklist including elements such as session preparation, instructional quality, and student engagement.	Checklist: Facilitation Moves Example: CORE Virtual Tutor Observation Coaching Checklist Example: Student Achievement Partners’ K-2 Foundational Skills Observation Tool

	Planning for the Long Term
	Use data and feedback from tutors and stakeholders to refine recruitment strategies. Leverage data collection tools to monitor overall program and tutor effectiveness. Maintain an iterative feedback system to improve coaching practices.

Tutoring Quality Standards and Self-Assessment Indicators
Take the free, 15-minute, and research-based Tutoring Organization Self-Assessment. This subsection addresses these tutoring quality standards and Self-Assessment indicators.
Tutor Tutor Coaching and Feedback	The program provides structured, ongoing personalized support to tutors through the effective use of research-informed practices that foster academic success and overall student well-being. A clear process facilitates two-way communication between tutors and coaches.
1c.1 \| Assigned staff member (or coach) for each tutor to provide ongoing support on the effective use of research informed practices that foster academic success, particularly in the effective use of materials/curriculum for tutors with limited formal training 1c.2 \| Assigned staff member (or coach) for each tutor to provide support on the effective use of research informed practices that foster overall student well-being 1c.3 \| Established routine for ongoing observation of tutors 1c.4 \| Set times to debrief observations and provide feedback to tutors 1c.5 \| Support for staff who support or coach tutors, including resources and training to deliver quality feedback 1c.6 \| Ongoing training and follow-up on implementing tutor practices that promote fairness, accessibility, and respect for diverse perspectives within the community 1c.7 \| Ongoing training and follow-up on implementing specific instructional practices that support English language learners (ELLs) and students with IEPs 1c.8 \| Ongoing training to support overall student well-being 1c.9 \| A clear process that facilitates two-way communication between tutors and coaches, ensuring individualized coaching and prompt responses to feedback

Toolkit for Tutoring Programs