Strategies for Matching Tutors with Students

Purpose: To select the most effective student-tutor matching strategy for your program, this table provides a clear comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of various approaches. It supports informed decision-making by helping programs weigh trade-offs based on their specific goals, resources, and student needs.

StrategyBenefits and Drawbacks
Program Uses Matching Criteria
  • Benefit: Matches are data-informed based on shared interests, learning needs, and availability.
  • Drawback: Quality depends on the accuracy and completeness of survey data.
Student Chooses Tutor
  • Benefit: Promotes student agency and investment in learning.
  • Drawback: Students may need adult guidance and may feel disappointment if their preferred tutor is not available.
Family Chooses Tutor
  • Benefit: Families bring valuable insight into their child’s personality and learning needs.
  • Drawback: Choices may reflect Family preferences more than student strengths or interests.
Teacher Chooses Tutor
  • Benefit: Teachers have deep knowledge of students’ academic and personal needs.
  • Drawback: Teachers may unintentionally project their own preferences or focus on perceived deficits.
Tutor Chooses Student
  • Benefit: Tutors can align with students they feel best equipped to support.
  • Drawback: Tutors need sufficient student data to make well-informed, equitable decisions.