Tutoring

Chapter 13

Reflections on Tutoring

If your school district is experiencing budget cuts, and the school board wants to end the tutoring program in order to save money, what would you tell school board members to encourage them to keep the program?What alternatives could you suggest?

Benefits and Drawbacks of Tutoring

Benefits:Tailored to a student’s individual strengths and needsOffers instant feedbackCan be especially effective for English learners

Drawback:Can be costly to school districts, who may rely on uncertified volunteers instead

Conditions for Effective TutoringTutoring is based on class instruction and assessment; maybe also Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).Tutors are well trained and receive continual training.Students are tutored at least three times per week.Tutors develop a rapport with tutees.Programs are well implemented.

Types of Tutors

Reading specialistsLiteracy coachesCertified teachersParaprofessionalsComputer-assisted tutoringWeb-based tutoring

Responsibilities of a Reading SpecialistProvide individualized reading and writing instructionProvide assessmentDiagnose reading problems and recommend appropriate interventionsServe as a resource for the school districtProvide professional development at the local and state levelsTrain paraprofessionalsProvide leadership in student advocacy

Guidelines for Paraprofessional TutorsTutors:

should be trained by certified reading specialistsneed ongoing training and feedbackmust be reliable and punctualshould use high-quality instructional materials

The child should work with the same tutor in each session.A certified specialist should be present during sessions to answer questions, provide input.

(continued)

Guidelines for Paraprofessional Tutors, continued

Tutoring sessions need to be structured.The reading specialist needs to assess the tutee on a regular basis.Tutoring session instruction must coordinate with classroom instruction.

Effective Computer-Assisted Tutoring Programs

Criteria:MotivationalSelf-monitoringSkill reinforcingSelf-pacing

Record and analyze progressSuggest reading strategiesReinforce literacy skills—fluency, comprehension, reading, writing skills, and so forth.

Example of Web-Based Tutoring—Intelligent Tutoring of the Structure Strategy (ITSS)

Helps fifth through seventh grades understand expository text (e.g., social studies and science).Indicates organizational structure.

Example of a Successful Program—Reading Recovery

Student rereads familiar books, to experience success.Student rereads a book from the previous session.Tutor gives isolated word study instruction.Student writes a short story, focusing on meaning and listening for the sounds in words.Tutor writes out the story on a piece of paper and cuts it up so the student must put the pieces back together.Tutor introduces a new book; this is used for the next tutoring session.

Lesson Plans for Tutoring Sessions Should Consist of . . .

Written objectivesConsistent sequence/formatAppropriate materialsReflection on the lesson

Tutoring Session Format for a 45-Minute Session

Easy reading (10 minutes)Rereading of instructional material (5 minutes)Word study (10 minutes)Writing (5 to 10 minutes)Introducing and reading new book at student’s instructional level (10 to 15 minutes)

Lesson Plan for Tutoring

Characteristics of Effective Tutors for English Learners

Are culturally sensitiveUnderstand second language acquisitionUnderstand difference between oral and academic proficiencyBuild English learners’ confidence so they are comfortable in class discussions and activities

Sample Lesson Plan for a First-Grade English Learner

Helping Tutees Tackle Challenging Words

Tutoring and TechnologyVideoconferencing

Useful if students don’t have easy access to a university-based tutoring programAllows for face-to-face tutoring with a tutor who may not be local

More Reflections on TutoringDid you ever need special tutoring in a subject you were struggling with? How was the experience? Was it useful? Did it help you learn the subject and understand the material?Were you embarrassed at being singled out for needing extra help?How can help your students enjoy the tutoring experience and be motivated to want to learn more?

Related Video Presentation

You can see a video on tutoring a student in reading, with an interest in science (which is related to the discussion on page 343 of the chapter).