Do Elementary School Students Really Need Tutoring?
For some students, having a tutor means getting ahead in class; for others, it may be the best way to catch up when they are falling behind. In either case, students and their parents may think of tutors as support for students in high school or perhaps middle school. But what about younger students? Do elementary students really need tutors?
Why start tutoring in elementary school?
A few striking statistics show the need for additional academic support in the younger grades. Among these findings is the low proficiency level in math and reading among elementary students. In 2019, 41% of fourth grade students showed math proficiency, while 35% of third graders demonstrated reading proficiency. And the effects of Covid-19 and remote learning on students has only impacted these proficiencies further.
As students advance to higher grades, the gaps in learning continue to decrease, showing the difficulty of catching up as students continue their education. Students learn at their own pace, of course, and some may progress more quickly academically as they mature. Still, this is usually not the case; students who do not exhibit reading proficiency in the third grade face a greater likelihood of not graduating from high school and remain a struggling reader.
Remedying learning loss with tutoring
Tutoring has proven to be an effective solution in improving reading and math skills. Research has shown tutoring students with lower grades has the greatest academic impact.
For reading, tutoring can be the most helpful for students between preschool and first grade; for math, tutoring has been shown to be most effective for students in second through fifth grade.
For both areas, an early use of tutoring with a well-designed program and close coordination with teachers can be incredibly effective.
What are the benefits of tutoring for younger children?
Tutoring offers younger children several unique benefits.
Individualized Learning: Even though a tutoring session may seem like an extension of a day in the classroom, there are important differences. Unlike a classroom where a teacher faces the challenge of supporting students at different levels, a tutoring session is limited to a tutor and a single student. Tutors can try different ways of engaging the student, and students can respond immediately. Research shows that students in smaller classes tend to do better academically, and a personalized tutoring session with one student provides the additional attention under-performing students need with less distractions..
Understanding & Mastering The Material Together: Tutoring can also help students understand material they might not quite grasp in the classroom. Tutors can constantly customize their techniques of introducing concepts and skills to their students. Making sure the student masters these items before progressing to the next unit or assignment is important and becomes increasingly so with each school year.
Improves self-esteem and attitudes towards learning and school: One on one tutoring allows for continuous encouragement and praise in real time, making learning fun and less overwhelming. When students start to grasp concepts and feel less frustrated, their confidence will soar.
Joining the tutoring community
Tutoring doesn’t have to just come from professionals. Volunteer tutors with an interest in helping out, combined with a fully supportive organization and training can be successful.
In a world where lifelong learning is a requirement for everyone, supporting students from the earliest grades can have long lasting effects. If you’re already a tutor, rest assured that your efforts are having a positive effect on your students.
If you’d like to work with elementary students and help close the education gap, consider volunteering as a tutor.