High-impact, in-school tutoring is a uniquely effective method of improving educational outcomes for historically underserved students. These students often have lower-funded schools, larger class sizes, and fewer resources. If they fall behind, they have lower chances of successfully catching up and progressing in their classes. In-class tutoring allows tutors to work closely with individual or small groups of students. They provide intensive, personalized support to address learning loss and close the educational gaps without adding hours to the school day or using limited household resources to pay for tutoring and extra help.

Benefits of In-School Tutoring

The benefits of high-impact tutoring are numerous, and the impact is significant. First and foremost, it significantly improves student achievement. The University of Chicago Urban Labs found that students who received high-impact tutoring made substantial gains in math, learning up to 2.5 years in less than a year and closing the opportunity gap* by over 50%. These gains were particularly pronounced for struggling students, indicating that high-impact, in-school tutoring can be effective for students who need extra support to succeed.

Another benefit of in-class tutoring is improving student engagement and motivation. When students receive personalized support from a trained educator invested in their success, they are more likely to feel confident and capable in their academic abilities. This can increase motivation and a greater willingness to engage in class and take on challenging coursework. When students feel confident, they are more likely to participate and take risks in class, benefiting more from the dynamics of a classroom environment.

In-School Tutoring Builds Social-Emotional Skills

When students work closely with a high-impact tutor, they can develop a trusting relationship with an adult who can provide guidance. This support can help students develop essential social-emotional skills, building confidence and effective habits, such as:

• Goal-setting
• Time management
• Self-reflection
• Self-regulation
• Perseverance

These skills can transfer to other classroom activities, social interactions, and school relationships. Students can build a better foundation for future success as they create new routines, increase skill sets, and meet their goals.

Closing Educational Gaps for Underserved Students

High-impact tutoring in the classroom can be particularly beneficial for students in lower-funded high schools, where resources may be limited, and students may not have access to the same academic support as their peers in wealthier districts. By providing targeted, intensive support to these students, high-impact tutoring can help to level the playing field and ensure that all students have access to high-quality education, support, and future opportunities. 

In-school tutoring is a powerful tool for improving educational outcomes for underserved students in lower-funded school districts. Attempts to close achievement gaps and support underserved students in other ways have had limited success compared to high-impact tutoring, where one-on-one and small group support in the classroom has proven to have a positive impact and successful outcomes.