CityTutor DC connects schools, community-based organizations, and other committed stakeholders to expand access to high-impact tutoring (HIT) and accelerate learning for DC students through tutoring. CityTutor DC believes that parents and caregivers are important partners as we work to expand access to HIT.
What is high-impact tutoring?
High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) is an evidence-based approach to accelerate learning. HIT takes place in a one-on-one or small group setting where trained tutors and students meet frequently and consistently, usually with a focus on math or literacy.
Why is HIT important now?
DC students’ math and reading test scores have fallen significantly over the past five years. Before the pandemic, 37% of students read at or above grade level. School year 2021-2022 assessments revealed that only 31% scored proficient or above. Math scores also dropped significantly across all grades. HIT’s evidence-based standards, which focus on tutor training, relationship-building, and tutoring for at least 90 minutes per week, address the pandemic’s impact. Learn more about HIT here.
Is HIT accessible to all DC students?
Yes, HIT is accessible to all DC students; however, each school or site selects students for tutoring using its own model, which may be based on student test scores, attendance, or class schedule.
HIT programs are expanding rapidly! HIT may be offered at schools, at after-school programs, or through virtual platforms. Though HIT may take a variety of forms, HIT standards help ensure tutoring across sites remains as aligned as possible. Learn more about where we know HIT is happening here.
What services are available for my student?
To learn about tutoring that may be available for your student, you should consult with their school. Click “More Info” below for specific questions to ask your school.
- Is there an opportunity for my student to receive HIT during or after school?
- What is the process for selecting students for the program?
- Where will tutoring fit in my student’s schedule
- How are tutors vetted/hired?
- How are tutors trained?
- How do you setup tutoring during the school day?
Check out our map to see where CityTutor Hubs are available in the area and here to see if your student’s school is currently offering tutoring.
Additional FAQs
- DC Public Library (DCPL) has partnered with Brainfuse HelpNow, a free, on-demand tutoring resource designed for K-12 students. All you need is a library card! Live chat-based tutoring is available in English and Spanish from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., providing homework help for core subjects, including mathematics, science, and English Language Arts. Students may even submit essays to HelpNow’s Writing Lab to receive guidance and feedback. The resource also offers free practice lessons and tests for students to practice skills in different subjects. To learn more about this free tutoring resource, visit DCPL.
- DC is offering students scholarships between $1,000-$10,000 for Out-of-School-Time (OST) Programs. The funding can be used to pay for tutoring services and programs designed specifically for students with disabilities, advanced learners, and English Language Learners. For more information, including an application link, visit The Community Foundation.
- Need help finding a tutor or mentor for your individual student? One of our partners, DC Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative, works with 50+ nonprofit organizations around DC and surrounding suburbs that provide tutoring, mentoring, and after-school programs. Please complete this form and they will get back to you within one business day. If you prefer, you can email them at info@dctutormentor.org or call/text 202-688-1261.
***Some of DCTMI’s partners are virtual, some in-person, and some a mix of the two. If you have a preference, please let them know in the Notes section of the form.
Just as general education students can receive tutoring as a supplement to their core instruction, students with IEPs can receive it in addition to their core and specialized instruction. Tutoring doesn’t replace IEP services, but can be an additional service. This decision and implementation should be done in coordination with your student’s school and IEP team.
Great tutors can come from a wide variety of backgrounds and spaces! All tutors undergo comprehensive background checks and receive ongoing training in relationship-building and instruction.
Many tutors are undergraduate and graduate students who are at local colleges or universities who want to be teachers. These programs allow students to receive mentoring and training from their professors.
Other tutors may be teachers, former educators, or volunteers from within the communities they serve. In some schools, teachers and paraeducators on the staff provide tutoring and small-group instruction during the school day.
Though training protocols may slightly vary between tutoring organizations, all tutoring organizations we partner with ensure to include training prior to beginning as a tutor, regardless of tutor background or experience level.
Tutoring organizations provide pre-service training for tutors that can include math or ELA skills, social emotional learning, and trauma-informed teaching. Student well-being is also discussed during bullying prevention training. CTDC offers free, monthly tutor training which provides a broad overview of DC’s educational landscape, key strategies to engage students, and tips on building strong relationships.
While all tutoring sessions look a little different—whether they’re in person or online, during the school day or after school, the basics stay the same. Students work in a small group of four or fewer students with a trained tutor multiple times a week for a total of 90+ minutes per week for 10+ weeks. You can expect each meeting to include:
- Relationship Building: Tutors are trained in how to build positive relationships with students (i.e. connecting students’ interests to tutoring lessons, asking about their day/weekends, checking in on their emotions, etc.). Strong relationships with adults at school can increase student engagement with their academics, peers, and within their school community. The small group size also helps students build their social skills so they can have positive relationships with their peers.
- Academic Support: Students generally do not complete homework during a tutoring session. Tutors will work from lesson plans to build on and/or improve students’ understanding of and proficiency in concepts being taught in class or prepare them for upcoming lessons.
- Example: 1st graders in literacy tutoring may practice sight word recognition, writing simple sentences using sight words, and explaining the main idea from a story they read with their tutor.
- Data Gathering: After each tutoring session, the tutor records information about the work done that day, such as how well the student appeared to understand the concepts taught, how far they progressed through the lesson, and any areas for improvement to pay attention to in future sessions. This session-level data is important for growth and consistent attendance is crucial to effective HIT. Data helps the school or tutoring team identify if and where additional support is required. Throughout the HIT program, students also take assessments to measure their academic growth.
For more information about CityTutor DC and the work we do, check out our general FAQs or our video. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @citytutordc.