22 Nov High-Dosage Tutoring: the What and the Why
Written by Christina Merchant and Analiese White | Edited by Cara Catalano
High-Dosage Tutoring: the What and the Why
Introduction to High-Dosage Tutoring
High-dosage tutoring (HDT) has long been recognized as a key strategy in accelerating student achievement. By providing frequent, focused sessions, HDT offers a personalized approach that complements classroom instruction. In this post, we’ll examine how this model works, its essential features, and why it continues to be one of the most effective interventions for student success.
What Is High-Dosage Tutoring (HDT)?
High-dosage tutoring offers intensive, customized tutoring on a regular basis, typically several times per week in small group or one-on-one settings. It focuses on core subjects, like math and English Language Arts (ELA), providing students with consistent, targeted support aligned to their learning needs. The increased frequency and individualized nature of HDT helps students master difficult concepts faster and more effectively than in traditional tutoring models, which are less frequent. Research highlights that HDT can significantly boost learning and close achievement gaps. NWEA (formerly known as Northwest Evaluation Association) is a mission-driven organization that supports students and educators in more than 146 countries through research and assessment solutions. NWEA’s research shows that HDT can produce large learning gains when implemented with key principles such as frequent sessions, small groups, and the use of data to inform instruction. These interventions are most effective in helping at-risk students, particularly in building foundational skills and addressing learning deficits. (New NWEA Research Report Reviews the Evidence on High-Dosage Tutoring. NWEA, January 30, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.nwea.org/ NWEA)
Key Features of High-Dosage Tutoring
Frequent, Regular Sessions
High-dosage tutoring occurs at least three times a week, in 30- to 60-minute sessions. The consistency of this model ensures that students receive ongoing support and opportunities for practice, which is critical for reinforcing learning. A review by the National Student Support Accelerator emphasizes the effectiveness of frequent, structured tutoring, noting that it is particularly impactful for students who are behind academically. The report underscores how tailored, consistent tutoring sessions can lead to significant academic improvements, especially in math and reading.
Small Groups or One-on-One Tutoring
HDT is typically conducted in small groups (2-5 students) or through one-on-one tutoring. This low student-to-tutor ratio allows for tailored instruction. It also promotes a more interactive learning environment where students can ask questions and receive immediate feedback.
Highly Trained Tutors
The effectiveness of HDT depends on the quality of the tutors. Tutors are trained in the subject matter and in delivering targeted instruction, ensuring students receive high-quality, focused teaching that addresses learning gaps. This specialized training equips tutors with the skills needed to support students effectively.
Data-Driven Instruction
High-dosage tutoring is often aligned with a data-driven approach, meaning that instruction is tailored based on ongoing assessments. By continuously evaluating students’ progress through formative assessments, tutors can adjust lesson plans and strategies to meet the evolving needs of each student, maximizing the impact of each session.
Alignment with School Curriculum
Unlike stand-alone tutoring programs, high-dosage tutoring is often integrated with a school’s existing curriculum. This alignment ensures that students are not just receiving additional help, but that the tutoring directly supports what they are learning in the classroom. This coherence between tutoring and regular instruction amplifies the impact of both.
Why High-Dosage Tutoring Works
Personalized Learning Experience
One of the biggest advantages of HDT is its ability to provide a personalized learning experience. In traditional classrooms, teachers often struggle to meet the needs of every student, especially when class sizes are large. High-dosage tutoring offers a solution by providing targeted instruction based on individual learning needs. This personalized approach helps students grasp concepts they may have struggled with in regular classroom settings.
Filling Learning Gaps
The structured, frequent nature of high-dosage tutoring makes it highly effective in addressing learning gaps, particularly in foundational skills like reading and math. Because HDT is delivered in small, focused groups, students can spend more time working through difficult topics at their own pace. Over time, this helps fill the gaps that might otherwise persist as students advance through their grade levels.
Increased Engagement and Motivation
With high-dosage tutoring, students often develop a closer relationship with their tutors, which can lead to increased engagement and motivation. Students feel more comfortable asking questions and are more likely to stay engaged in the learning process. The individualized attention also gives students a sense of accomplishment as they master concepts with the help of their tutor.
Proven Track Record of Success
Research consistently shows that high-dosage tutoring is one of the most effective interventions for improving student outcomes. The University of Chicago Education Lab has found that high-dosage tutoring can double or even triple student learning in math over the course of a single academic year. This research highlights the substantial impact HDT can have, especially when implemented during the school day, where it tends to result in more significant learning gains than after-school or on-demand tutoring sessions.
Implementing High-Dosage Tutoring in Schools
Given the effectiveness of high-dosage tutoring, many districts are looking to implement these programs as part of their educational recovery efforts. To successfully implement HDT, schools should focus on the following:
Identify Student Needs
Use assessment data to identify which students would benefit most from high-dosage tutoring. Typically, students who are behind grade level in math or reading are prioritized.
Recruit and Train Qualified Tutors
High-quality tutors are essential to the success of HDT. Schools should recruit individuals with subject matter expertise and provide them with specialized training to deliver targeted instruction.
Schedule Consistent Session
Ensure that students receive frequent tutoring sessions, ideally at least three times per week. Consistency is key to reinforcing learning and closing academic gaps.
Monitor Progress
Implement a system to assess students’ progress and regularly adjust tutoring strategies as needed. This data-driven approach ensures that tutoring sessions remain relevant and effective over time.
Recognizing High-Quality Tutoring Programs
High-dosage tutoring programs that are designed to meet rigorous standards can receive recognition through certifications like the National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) Tutoring Program Design Badge. Awarded by Stanford University, this badge is given to tutoring programs that go through a detailed, research-based review process. Programs are evaluated on their structure, alignment with research-backed practices, and ability to deliver impactful, consistent tutoring services that close learning gaps. This certification ensures that the tutoring program design is optimized to provide effective and meaningful educational support.
References
National Student Support Accelerator. (n.d.). Badging – Tutoring program quality standards. National Student Support Accelerator. https://studentsupportaccelerator.org/tqis/badging
Robinson, C., Kraft, M. A., Loeb, S., Schueler, B. E., & Stosich, E. L. (2021). Accelerating student learning with high-dosage tutoring (EdResearch for Recovery Project: Design principles for effective tutoring). Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED613847.pdf
University of Chicago Education Lab. (2024, March). National study finds in-school tutoring programs are successfully accelerating student learning, reversing pandemic-era learning loss. Education Lab. https://educationlab.uchicago.edu/2024/03/national-study-finds-in-school-tutoring-programs-are-successfully-accelerating-student-learning-reversing-pandemic-era-learning-loss/
Credits:
Main Writer: Christina Merchant
Co-Writer: Analiese White
Editor: Cara Catalano
