COVID's Impact on Education
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically disrupted education systems worldwide, leading to what is increasingly recognized as Covid Learning Loss. This phenomenon refers to the significant gaps in learning that students have experienced due to prolonged school closures, inconsistent access to remote learning resources, and the social and emotional toll of the pandemic. Many students have fallen behind in critical areas such as literacy and math proficiency, jeopardizing their educational trajectories.
According to a Washington Post article from July 2024, NWEA assessed 7.7 million standardized test scores from spring 2024. NWEA's research concluded that the average eighth grader in their sample would require about nine months of extra schooling, or significant time spent in after-school personalized tutoring, to meet pre-COVID averages of grade-level test scores.
High-Impact Tutoring is Proven to Close Learning Gaps
A promising solution to address these learning deficits is the implementation of targeted tutoring programs. By providing personalized assistance and support, tutoring can help students reinforce foundational skills, regain lost knowledge, and foster a more resilient approach to their ongoing education.
Research conducted by Susanna Loeb of Stanford University has identified key tutoring strategies that have statistical significance in students' improvements in both reading and math.
The National Student Support Accelerator, a program of Stanford's Accelerator for Learning and Systems Change for Advancing Learning and Equity (SCALE) has summarized these tutoring strategies and coined a new term: "High-Impact Tutoring".
High impact tutoring contains the following features:
One-on-one tutoring (or with very small groups)
Tutoring content is aligned with in-class instruction
Students receive tutoring at least three times per week from the same tutor
Tutors are professionally trained
This Stanford research has concluded that high impact tutoring can increase student learning by an additional 3 to 15 months in one school year.
Get Started with High-Impact Tutoring
If you're worried about your child's educational progress and want to give them the support they need to succeed, consider starting a high-impact tutoring program with Big Sky Tutoring. Our services are designed to align with effective, research-backed strategies that help close learning gaps and boost confidence in academic abilities. Our dedicated team is committed to customizing a tutoring program that meets your child's unique needs while adhering to each of the "high-impact" tutoring principles. Don't hesitate to reach out today to discover how we can help your child thrive. Together, let's pave the way for a brighter academic future!