Through TutorMe, students have access to personalized support from qualified tutors, whenever and wherever they need it. The power of our platform is centered on human connection, where every student receives the 1:1 support of a tutor dedicated to encouraging and engaging a student on their individual learning journey. 

We understand the strength of our platform is directly tied to our understanding and application of the learning science behind what makes for an excellent tutoring session. 

Using research from a robust literature review process, the GoGuardian Education Team developed the TutorMe logic model.  This logic model is a conceptual framework demonstrating how tutoring on the TutorMe platform can lead to positive outcomes for learning readiness, academic achievement, and teacher satisfaction. But we didn’t stop there. Understanding is only the first step. Using evidence-based learning strategies as a guiding light, our internal experts translated the TutorMe logic model into a five-step tutoring methodology, creating the TutorMe RAISE Approach.  Anchored in instructional best practices, the TutorMe RAISE Approach offers tutors a simple, memorable formula to lead an effective tutoring session.

TutorMe’s logic model and RAISE approach are designed to infuse evidence-based practices into every interaction between tutors and students on our platform. Through the application of learning science, we are committed to providing a personalized learning experience for every student using the power of human connection to move the needle in education advancement.

Interested in accessing the white paper? Read it here.

The TutorMe logic model

A logic model is a conceptual framework made to represent the expected outcomes of a program or product. A logic model should identify the key components of a program or product experience and show how these components can logically impact desired outcomes. 

The TutorMe Logic Model outlines how TutorMe tutoring sessions are designed to deliver impactful tutoring sessions for K-12 students. The TutorMe logic model was designed to satisfy Level IV requirements (Demonstrates a Rationale) according to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and serve as a framework for future efficacy studies.

Evidence-based learning strategies 

With TutorMe’s collaborative digital tools, tutors can utilize evidence-based learning strategies such as: 

• Using a Modeling-Scaffolding-Fading approach 
• Delivering personalized, process-oriented feedback and process praise to continuously encourage student persistence
• Facilitating the creation of a clear, goal-oriented session plan to aid students in accomplishing their learning goals
• Focusing on student-centered session designs, keeping students as the drivers of their learning experience by prompting them to demonstrate understanding and regularly use self-explanation
• Emphasizing metacognitive strategies by encouraging students to evaluate their own reasoning and reflect on the learning process
• Reinforcing critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making techniques by engaging students in active discussion throughout the session
• Prompting higher-order thinking through questioning techniques and application tasks
  

Extensive research has illustrated that when these high-quality instructional techniques are utilized in a tutoring session, it can lead to impactful results.. TutorMe has found these learning methodologies to be the foundation of successful tutoring.

Powerful benefits 

The research outlined in the TutorMe logic model points to the powerful potential benefits when these learning methodologies  are used to support effective instructional practices during a tutoring session. 

Based on the TutorMe logic model framework, if the implementation of program activities is successful, schools and districts can expect the following outcomes: 

• Improved academic achievement and engagement outcomes as a result of personalized 1:1 quality learning experiences that incorporate research-backed instructional techniques
• Improved metacognitive abilities and academic confidence as a result of the employment of critical-thinking and self-assessment strategies, as well as the regular delivery of elaborative feedback
• An increase in teacher satisfaction and retention as a result of added support from supplemental out-of-school-time resourcing that gives time back to the teacher and better prepares students for in-class learning
• Improved equitable learning outcomes as a result of wider availability of differentiated academic supports and timely, detailed feedback

ARP ESSER funding for 1:1 tutoring 

In 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) allocated $122 billion to schools to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), with funding options available through 2024.

20% of ARP ESSER funding can be utilized for the purchase of education technology tools with an evidence-based approach to addressing learning loss among students. TutorMe’s logic model was designed to satisfy the Level IV requirements (Demonstrates a Rationale) of evidence established by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The logic model serves as a framework for the evidence-based practices that are the guiding principles for tutoring on the TutorMe platform and demonstrates that TutorMe approaches tutoring through an evidence-based theory of action. 

With TutorMe’s tutoring services, students are connected 1:1 with an expert tutor that can provide direct support in addressing skill gaps and provide differentiated support. When following the TutorMe RAISE Approach, these tutoring sessions utilize learning methodologies to provide scaffolded instruction and feedback to every student. 

The TutorMe RAISE Approach: TutorMe’s student-centric approach 

The learning methodologies identified in the TutorMe logic model are used as a guiding light for the tutoring practices at TutorMe, particularly through the TutorMe RAISE Approach. 

TutorMe takes a student-centric approach to virtual support, employing RAISE to facilitate effective tutoring sessions. This method is centered on two principles to drive learner engagement:

1. Ask Questions - We believe the student should be leading throughout the majority of the tutoring session. Tutors are encouraged to keep their explanations to one minute or less before engaging the student again through the usage of questioning techniques
2. Provide Feedback - Feedback is essential in creating a foundation of independent growth. Characteristics of high-quality feedback include being specific, timely, autonomy-supportive, and process, over person, praising. Tutors are encouraged to use feedback throughout a session and to give positive feedback to build student confidence.

The 5 steps of the TutorMe RAISE Approach 

The TutorMe RAISE Approach is a 5-step process grounded in the research-backed practices outlined in the TutorMe logic model, serving as a guide to leading effective tutoring sessions. 

Rapport-building:‍

At the beginning of a session, tutors create a welcoming learning environment by making a connection and building rapport with the learner. This happens by greeting the student warmly, encouraging them to share what they need help with, and meeting the student in their preferred mode of communication whenever possible – whether that’s through text-based chat or through live audio and/or video interactions.
After introductions and setup, the student and tutor are encouraged to set expectations and define a goal for the session before they get started. An example of expectation setting is, “In tutoring, it’s my job to ask you lots of questions. These help me to understand what you already know and where you need help.” An example of a defined goal for the tutoring session is, “By the end of our session, you’ll be able to independently find the value of X by isolating the variable to one side.”

Assessment of prior knowledge: ‍

Tutors that follow the TutorMe RAISE Approach assess the student’s prior knowledge to determine where the student is in their learning journey. By giving the student an opportunity to attempt the problem first using self-assessment or performance-based questions, the tutor receives valuable information not only about the gaps in the student’s knowledge, but also about their learning approach and unique needs. 

Examples of prior-knowledge assessment techniques include, “What do you remember about how your teacher taught this?”, or, “How would you start solving this problem?”, or, “What do you think this problem is asking us to do?”. 

When a student responds with “I don’t know,” tutors are encouraged to push through by refocusing the attention on what the student does know. An example of this is, “It’s okay that you don’t remember how to add fractions - can you tell me what you do know about fractions?”. 

Individualize instruction (scaffolding):‍

Following the TutorMe Raise Approach, the majority of a tutoring session is spent on individualized instruction. During this step, the RAISE Approach suggests tutors let the student lead as much as possible by using autonomy-supportive language and asking questions that help the student articulate their thought process. Examples of guiding questions include, “What would you try to do next?”,  “Why did you take that step?”,  “What’s a different way you could have approached this problem?”.

When a student is stuck, the tutor can provide hints and support and/or break down the problem into smaller steps. Examples of supportive guidance include creating lists or using graphic organizers. In math sessions, tutors can suggest,  “Let’s create a list together of all the factors for these numbers to find a common one.” In a reading session, tutors can suggest,“"Let's use a graphic organizer so we can keep track of the important parts of the story as we read and write them down."  These are only a few examples of the numerous strategies and lines that can be employed to encourage students. 

When possible, tutors are encouraged to use recognizable steps like the FOIL method or PEMDAS. Tutors can also demonstrate alternative ways of problem solving, which allows for further personalization of the instruction. For example, if a student is stuck on a particularly difficult math problem, a tutor could provide choices, as shown in this example: “We could either add these numbers as mixed numbers, improper fractions, or decimals - which do you prefer?”

Thanks to TutorMe’s didactic learning environment, tutors can also provide visuals when needed. They can draw on the Lesson Space’s whiteboard, upload an image, screen-share, or use the live video capability for a face-to-face explanation. 

Summarize learning:‍

As the session nears the end, the RAISE Approach advises tutors to work collaboratively with the learner to summarize their learning. 

Summarization can occur in a variety of structures. For example, the tutor could ask the student to recap the steps taken in solving the problem or have the student work on an analogous problem to demonstrate mastery. Additionally, a tutor could ask a metacognitive question, such as, “How confident are you on this topic now? What’s something you’d like to become more confident in?”.

Encouragement:

We believe the positive association with learning is an essential component of building independent learners. Therefore, a tutoring session guided by the TutorMe RAISE Approach always ends with encouragement. 

During this step, the student and tutor can revisit the goal set at the start of the session and share honest feedback on the progress. Tutors are also encouraged to give process praise to the student for seeking help, such as stating, “You should be proud of yourself for working so hard today!”. 

Through feedback and process praise, tutors can help equip learners with the confidence and self-esteem to ascend and accelerate to the next level.

 At the end of the session, the tutor provides a recommendation for when the student should return for another tutoring session. 

‍

TutorMe is committed to building out an implementation system and standardized tutoring session experience guided by evidence-based practices in order to effectively support teacher and student outcomes. 

These evidence-based practices are embodied in TutorMe’s logic model and RAISE Approach. The logic model and RAISE Approach guide our implementation protocols and instructional strategies in outlining the key components of creating an effective and impactful tutoring session. 

Every student deserves a tutor who can guide them to their light bulb moment. 

‍

‍

‍