Given the past few years’ worth of upheavals, it’s no surprise to see a decline in K-12 students’ academic scores. To address it, the Biden Administration launched the National Partnership for Student Success in 2022 to provide students with 250,000 more tutors, mentors, and/or coordinators over the span of three years. These efforts have helped tremendously, but unfortunately, some experts say, the program doesn’t necessarily help students who are already struggling. Thirty-four percent of fourth grade students are currently below basic reading levels while another 31 percent fall below the proficient reading level. More school districts are now investing in devices and internet services for learners, driving the need for online services for tutoring.
It is evident that online tutoring is beneficial for students and increasing in favor with parents and students. Through consistent tutoring, this type of assistance can lift student achievement across subject areas and grade levels. According to the National Student Support Accelerator, “Research shows that high impact tutoring — tutoring delivered three or more times a week by consistent, trained tutors using high-quality materials and data to inform instruction — is one of the most effective academic interventions, providing an average of more than four months of additional learning in elementary literacy and almost 10 months in high school math.”
“We are seeing a disproportionate number of young students struggling to catch up with their work,” says Vincent Forese, President of Link-Systems International (LSI)/NetTutor, the longest-running online tutoring company in the US. “With more of the students’ workload being done online, tutoring is more necessary than ever. There is no need to travel to meet with a tutor. With a click of a button, they can be connected with a tutor.”
Having been in the industry for over 25 years, Forese has seen an increase in online tutoring use, as well as the successes of students and schools using their programs. Link-Systems International’s NetTutor has been integrated into several school districts’ programs to ensure students are given access to tutors.
“More than 40 percent of school districts and charter schools have put a portion of their Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief money towards tutoring and academic coaching,” says Forese. “With the government program, now more students can have access to equal education and the help they need.”
Online tutoring is accessible 24/7 and can be customized to fit learners’ individual needs. The tutors actively work with students to ensure they are engaged in their learning. It’s a logical investment, avoiding the complications of finding and scheduling an in-person tutor, and provides experts in their fields who work with each student’s schedule.
Though some programs can be costly, research suggests long-term benefits. Tutoring programs like NetTutor have proven effective in improving learning outcomes. Through consistent tutoring with tutors who follow each student’s curriculum, research shows gains in reading and math making up for as much as five months’ worth of learning in a year with an increase in online tutoring. Through online programs, finding help on a daily basis is available, even if it’s an hour or two a day.
Chandler Unified School District in Arizona, which offers NetTutor to its students, has already seen an improvement in standardized testing since adopting the program. About 58% of CUSD students were proficient in the English language arts last year, up 2% from 2021, and only down 1% in 2019. In math, students were 53% proficient in 2022, an increase of 4% over 2021.
Dr. Jessica Fletcher, the district’s executive director of accountability, assessment, and research, isn’t surprised by the high percentages, as the district has consistently been above state averages. “What is really important that I want us to focus on is our (English Language Arts) results are only one percent away from 2019.” she told Chandler News. “We did make some great strides in math, we moved from 49% to 53%. But we still have a five percent return that we need to get back to.”
In today’s educational landscape, technology is increasingly being integrated into K-12 learning, and online tutoring continues to hold significance at the collegiate level. This resource seems to have become more important and relevant than ever before, aligning with evolving educational trends and needs.
“Fortunately, students live in the digital age of tablets, cell phones, and access to the internet, which allows students [and parents] access to a tutor whenever they need help from anywhere,” says Forese. “That’s what really matters.”
