5.5 Determining Tutor Dosage and Optimizing Student-Tutor Ratio

While the ultimate aim is to enhance student outcomes, achieving this amidst limited resources requires careful balancing. Research indicates that investment in high dosage (at least three sessions per week) and low student-to-tutor ratios provide more individualized instruction, foster stronger relationships, and yield greater academic gains. Section 5.5 explores strategies for scheduling and dosage planning as well as setting and managing effective student-tutor ratios.

Before You Begin
Effective Practices in Scheduling
Key RecommendationsCorresponding Resources
  • Schedule tutoring sessions at least three times per week, with ample time (usually 30–60 minutes per session) for a minimum of 10 weeks. Younger students may benefit from shorter but more frequent sessions (i.e., 5–10 minute bursts of instruction, multiple times a week).

Video: CityTutor DC/OSSE Toolkit: Planning for HIT in your Master Schedule with Slide Deck

Website: Unlocking Time: Schedule Builder and Common Bell Schedules

One-Pager: How to Maximize Every Minute of Your School's Master Schedules

Example: Accelerated Instruction | Texas Education Agency

  • Build tutoring sessions into each school’s master schedule. Utilize tools such as Unlocking Time’s bell schedule builder and resources.
  • Schedule tutoring sessions so that students can continue to participate in Tier-1 instruction, non-core classes, and recess.
Reading: Amplify Scheduling Guidance (for Texas)
Ratio and Student Grouping
Key RecommendationsCorresponding Resources
  • Maintain a low student-tutor ratio and do not exceed 4:1.
Reading: Individualized tutoring can combat chronic absenteeism
  • Identify student needs using academic data to group learners with similar instructional requirements.
 
  • Monitor student progress and group effectiveness regularly to ensure learning goals are being met.
 
  • Adjust groupings and staffing based on data, feedback, and evolving student needs.
Reading: The Effects of Virtual Tutoring on Young Readers: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Planning for the Long Term
  • Embed tutoring into master schedules to ensure sessions occur at least three times weekly for a minimum of 30 minutes.
  • Monitor group size and adjust tutor assignments to maintain a 1:1 to 1:4 ratio for effective personalization.
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.

Instruction
Dosage		The program provides each student with at least three tutoring sessions per week, with ample time (usually a minimum of 30 minutes per session) for students to engage fully with the material. 
3g.1 | Dosage amounts that are consistent in each session for individual students
3g.2 | Sessions that occur at least three times, preferably five times, per week. Sessions are held for an age-appropriate amount of time, typically 30 minutes or more, although for K-3 students it may be less than 30 minutes
3g.3 | Clear start and stop points of program (i.e., 10 weeks, 20 weeks) aligned with program measures and performance expectations (connects to data section)
Instruction
Ratio		The ratio of students to tutor in the program is low and does not exceed 4:1.
3h.1 | Staffing plan with student-tutor ratio that does not exceed 4:1
3h.2 | Staffing plan with student-tutor ratio levels aligned with the skills of tutors