New Research: Done Right, Virtual Tutoring Nearly Rivals In-Person Version

Two new Johns Hopkins University studies explore how high-quality virtual tutoring can help struggling students.

By Greg Toppo

The 74

January 15, 2025

In his January 15, 2025, article "New Research: Done Right, Virtual Tutoring Nearly Rivals In-Person Version," published in The 74, Greg Toppo discusses two studies from Johns Hopkins University's Center for Research and Reform in Education that examine the effectiveness of high-quality virtual tutoring in supporting struggling students.

Study Summaries

1. Ignite Reading Program: A quasi-experimental study conducted during the 2023-24 school year involved approximately 1,900 first-grade students across 13 high-poverty districts in Massachusetts. Students participated in daily 15-minute one-on-one virtual tutoring sessions using the Ignite Reading program. By spring, the percentage of students reading at grade level increased from 16% to about 50%, while the proportion of struggling readers decreased from 64% to 28%. Tutored students demonstrated nearly five and a half months more progress on key reading assessments compared to their peers.

2. Air Reading Program: A randomized controlled trial during the same school year evaluated the Air Reading program with 418 students from first to sixth grade in six Texas elementary schools. The small-group virtual tutoring sessions, conducted from late January through April, led to tutored students outperforming their peers by about two points on NWEA reading assessments. Notably, first graders benefited the most, with average students moving from the 50th to the 58th percentile.

Key Insights

• Implementation Quality: The success of virtual tutoring programs hinges on meticulous implementation. Both studies highlighted the importance of well-trained tutors, structured programs, ongoing coaching, and clear instructional processes tailored to individual student needs.

• Attendance and Engagement: High attendance rates were crucial. In the Ignite study, over 85% of students consistently attended their scheduled sessions. Strategies to ensure attendance included appointing on-site coordinators to monitor participation and holding regular meetings with educators to align on goals and milestones.

• Human Element: Despite the virtual format, the human connection between tutors and students remained vital. Pairing students with tutors who spoke the same language or shared similar backgrounds enhanced engagement and learning outcomes.

Considerations for Educators

• Program Design: The effectiveness of virtual tutoring is closely tied to program design. One-on-one virtual tutoring has been found to be more effective than small-group formats. Educators should prioritize personalized approaches to maximize impact.

• Technological Infrastructure: Reliable technology and internet access are foundational. Ensuring that both students and tutors have the necessary tools and connectivity is essential for seamless virtual sessions.

• Continuous Monitoring: Regular assessment of student progress and program effectiveness allows for timely adjustments. Data-driven decision-making can help in refining tutoring strategies to better meet student needs.

Conclusion

The studies underscore that with careful planning, structured implementation, and a focus on human connection, virtual tutoring can approach the effectiveness of traditional in-person methods. As schools navigate post-pandemic educational challenges and resource constraints, high-quality virtual tutoring offers a promising avenue to support student learning and bridge achievement gaps.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com