From Research to Results: A Practical Guide to In-School Math Tutoring

Over the past two years, our team has been co-designing an approach with schools for using ASSISTments, a proven math learning and assessment platform, to support small group intervention. The result? A practical, ready-to-use system that helps schools bring consistent, high-impact tutoring to the students who are performing up to two years below grade level in math.

We’re excited to share the fruits of that work through the ASSISTments Tutor Implementation Guide: a free, research-backed playbook that’s designed to help district and school leaders launch sustainable, small-group tutoring programs using existing staff and/or community volunteers. Within the guide, leaders can access an open-source standards-based tutoring curriculum built within the ASSISTments platform, allowing students to engage in targeted and supportive practice, as well as regular checks for understanding on priority standards.

Why This, and Why Now?

Educators across the country are grappling with a common challenge: How do we close the learning gaps of students who are behind in math?

Traditional math tutoring models place a high burden on tutors to internalize and deliver complicated lessons, with the assumption the tutor has a math or teaching background. Our goal was to build a model where the technology can do some of the pedagogical heavy lifting, and tutors of all levels of knowledge and comfort with math instruction could be successful delivering impactful standards-based tutoring aligned to student needs. After implementing with hundreds of students over two years, we have learned some valuable lessons.

Here’s what we’ve learned:

• Technology can be a novice tutor’s best friend. With real-time data and built-in instructional support, tools like ASSISTments can provide tutors with the confidence and guidance they need—regardless of their prior teaching experience.
  
  
• There’s no one-size-fits-all staffing model. We’ve seen successful tutoring programs run by paraeducators, community volunteers, and college students mentoring youth. The key is having a clear structure, easy-to-use tools, and coaching support.
  
  
• In-school, small-group tutoring is doable. With the right systems and support, you can offer tutoring during the school day—multiple times per week—without overburdening teachers or blowing your budget.
  
  

What’s Inside the Guide?

This isn’t just a set of best practices. It’s a comprehensive blueprint for launching a tutoring program utilizing school-based or volunteer staff, along with the ASSISTments platform, grounded in what works—developed with input from real districts and schools.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Step-by-step instructions for building a tutoring program tailored for students performing up to two years below grade level
• Training resources and strategies that are user-friendly for tutors, ranging from beginners to experienced tutors
• Tools and guides to help tutors plan, deliver, and adapt instruction aligned with student needs
• A flexible, high-dosage model designed to fit into the school day
• Coaching and collaboration tips for teachers and staff to ensure continuity and maximize impact

How It Works

Tutors use ASSISTments to lead data-driven, standards-based sessions in small groups of up to four students. These sessions occur during the school day, and the program is designed to be frequent, flexible, and easy to implement.

With this approach, your school or district can:

• Conduct tutoring during the school day with groups of up to four students
• Schedule high-frequency sessions that maximize skill recovery
• Deploy tutors with no prior teaching experience using simple free training modules
• Scale the program internally using your staff and routines

Ready to Build a Tutoring Program That Works?

The ASSISTments Tutor Implementation Guide includes everything you need to design, launch, and refine a tutoring initiative that’s tailored to your specific school’s needs. 

Whether you're starting with a single school or scaling districtwide, you’ll have the tools to support equity, boost math achievement, and create space for meaningful academic recovery.

Download the Guide -->

Have questions or want help customizing it for your district? Reach out to us at partnerships@assistments.org

Let’s reimagine what effective tutoring can look like—and make it happen.

‍