Imagine walking through a bustling school hallway. Students enter their classrooms and are greeted by their teachers. You reach a room that sounds chaotic at first glance. But look closer. Students work in small groups with a tutor, collaborating and being actively engaged. This is the heart of Saga Education’s high-impact tutoring program.
Our program provides daily tutoring during the school day. It becomes a regular part of the student’s schedule, integrated with their core classes. For high schoolers, this might be an elective or an additional credit course. Middle and elementary school schedules can be more flexible, allowing tutoring to be incorporated during existing class periods. This ensures alignment with the core curriculum and eliminates scheduling conflicts. Teachers can continue delivering their lessons while tutors provide targeted support.
We believe in the power of consistent pairings. Students are placed in small groups of two or three with the same tutor for the entire school year. This fosters positive relationships, collaboration, and a safe space for learning. Tutors are trained to anticipate student challenges and differentiate instruction to meet individual needs. They also build relationships with families, informing them of student progress through regular calls.
Our research shows that the sweet spot for student engagement is a two-to-one or three-to-one tutor-to-student ratio, which allows tutors to provide personalized instruction to their students and efficiently use everyone’s tutoring time.
Our school-based site directors are the backbone of the program. They collaborate with teachers, administrators, and department heads to ensure the tutoring curriculum aligns with core standards. Consistent communication builds trust and provides a smooth experience for students and staff alike.
We take tutor selection seriously. Our rigorous process focuses on content knowledge, the ability to connect with students, and a growth mindset. We prioritize coachable qualities like communication, collaboration, and self-awareness, which are essential for success in our program.
Once hired, tutors receive extensive training. School-based site directors get three to five weeks of training and ongoing coaching. Tutors participate in a three-week pre-service program focused on relationship building, academic strategies, and high expectations. Additionally, they participate in weekly coaching, monthly professional development, and quarterly cohort-based training sessions.
Can you imagine walking through your hallways, visiting your classrooms, and seeing small group instruction driven by tutors supporting your teachers? If you can, then we want to support you and make this vision a reality! Saga’s expertise extends beyond our programs. We offer technical assistance and quality assurance to states, districts, and schools looking to launch or improve their tutoring initiatives. We provide the same structure, materials, and support in our direct services to help design, train, and maintain high-quality tutoring programs.
Our experience highlights the importance of principal buy-in. When principals understand and support the program’s goals, it fosters a more welcoming environment for staff and students. Additionally, clear communication and alignment with the core curriculum are crucial for program success. The school-based site director is vital in ensuring seamless integration between the tutoring program and the school’s academic environment.
By focusing on these core principles, Saga Education creates a high-impact tutoring experience that empowers students, supports teachers, and strengthens schools.
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Maryellen Leneghan boasts more than 13 years of experience in the field of education. She is dedicated to enhancing the development of young adolescents by surpassing educational benchmarks and demonstrating a passion for learning within and beyond the confines of the classroom. |
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