What Are the Components of an Effective Reading Tutoring Programs?

INSTRUCTION

1.	Provide daily tutoring sessions with at least 30 minutes of instruction (if not daily at least 2-3 times per week). 

2.	Use one-on-one tutoring (though an excellent tutor can work with two students at the same level at once).

TUTORING PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS 

1.	Use an evidence-based program to teach reading. This program should include guidance on what tutors say and do. Programs for early reading skills should teach phonemic awareness and phonics, including sounds practice and oral  reading of words in lists and  text that incorporates previously taught sounds/words. For more advanced reading skills tutoring should include fluency building activitieis, comprehension questions, and vocabulary activities whenever possible.

2.	Some programs include materials such as magnetic letter boards, dry erase boards/markers/erasers, and timers/stopwatches to use during instruction.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/TRAINING

1.	Demonstrate teaching skills to tutors. Include role-play and practice activities as well as problem solving scenarios during tutor training.

2.	Train an on-site supervisor to coach and train tutors and to monitor the tutoring program.

3.	Establish tutor expectations such as time commitments, professional behavior, and training requirements.

4.	Observe how tutors deliver instruction, provide praise and error corrections, and record learner progress. Deliver feedback and coaching based on this observation.

5.	Provide additional tutor training at scheduled intervals to allow tutors to work more effectively with learners.

6.	Hold regular meetings with tutors to provide a forum for discussion and problem solving.

ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

1.	Incorporate the use of placement testing for appropriate skill entry to ensure learner success.

2.	Develop a record keeping system to ensure tutors are conducting the program at a quality level and that tutors are progressing.

LEADERSHIP
•	Recruit tutors who are motivated to help others and who make a commitment to tutor on a consistent basis.

•	Screen and match tutors with students. Provide rapport building activities such as “getting to know you” games.

•	Ensure high quality instruction, instructional materials, professional development , and assessment and accountability,  

What Instructional Behaviors Should Tutors Exhibit?

•	Begin instruction immediately after the start of the tutoring session.

•	Provide clear instructions (e.g., “Read this list of words” rather than “Could you read this list of words?”).

•	Use explicit teaching techniques (i.e., showing learners what to do and providing opportunities for learners to practice with clear tutor supervision and feedback) rather than simply reading to the learners.

•	Include praise and encouraging words that are specific to the task at hand (e.g., “yes, the word is brother”).

•	Use error corrections that include showing learners the correct response (e.g., “that word is house”) and asking them to repeat it (e.g., “what word?”). 

•	Maintain a rapid pace of instructional delivery to keep learners focused and on task.

•	Ignore inconsequential and unwanted learner behavior.

•	Gather learner performance data on a daily basis.

•	Chart learner performance data (graphs) to allow a visual display of improvements made in the program.

What are the Advantages of Tutoring?

For the Learners:

•	Creates a more favorable teacher-to-learner ratio  (particularly with the use of one-on-one instruction).

•	Provides learners with more on-task time via increased opportunities to read with success and to receive feedback.

•	Allows for immediacy of positive and corrective feedback so learners stay on track and do not practice errors.

•	Increases reading performance of learners 

•	Improves learner motivation and decreases their frustration.

•	Enhances interpersonal skills and relationships due to established bonds/friendships between learners and tutors.

•	Allows for individualized progress monitoring to ensure learning is taking place.

For the Student Tutors:

•	Increases reading performance of student tutors as a result of serving as a teacher.

•	Enhances interpersonal skills and relationships due to established bonds/friendships between learners and student tutors.

•	Provides tutors with community service learning opportunities to expand their growth in human service related fields.

•	Allows student tutors an opportunity to experience firsthand what it would be like to be a teacher.

•	Establishes important skills in student tutors such as patience, trustworthiness, and responsibility.

What are Some Tips for Tutors 
Who do not Receive Training?

•	Be positive. Praise goes a long way with learners who struggle in reading. Provide positive feedback when correct responses are made (e.g., “yes. The word is Sequoia.”).

•	Stop learners immediately after an error. Show them what to do and provide them an opportunity to do it correctly (e.g., “That word is trouble. What word is this?). Try not to use the word “no.”

3.	Provide clear instructions (e.g., “Say this word” rather than “Would you say it?”).

•	Record learner performance. Be mindful of mistakes made during the session. Review anything that learners miss or on what they do not respond confidently. Remember, learners “should say it like they know it.”

3.	Work from the beginning to the end of the period.

4.	 Keep tutoring sessions lively. Learner success and tutor support go a long way in keeping learners motivated to come back.

•	Try to ignore minor misbehavior. Focus on what learners are doing well rather than dwell on what they have missed.

7.	Be patient. Show learners that you care about them by your commitment and encouragement.