High-Dosage Tutoring Programs: What Works and How to Choose One

High-dosage tutoring, sometimes called high-impact tutoring, is one of the most studied ways to help students catch up. But the results depend on how it’s done: how often students meet, how small the groups are, and whether they work with the same tutor.

What is high-dosage tutoring?

High-dosage tutoring means frequent sessions, several times a week, in small groups, with a consistent tutor, usually during the school day. That’s what separates it from occasional homework help or drop-in tutoring.

Why it’s hard to run in-house

Districts often lack enough tutors with the right training, and scheduling frequent sessions around the school day takes coordination. Online tutoring programs can provide consistent, trained tutors at the scale districts need.

What a good program looks like

• Sessions several times a week
• Small groups with the same tutor all year
• Built into the school day
• Aligned to your curriculum and assessments
• Regular progress data

Questions to ask any provider

A good provider should start by asking about your district: your students, your schedule, your staffing and what has or hasn’t worked before. Then ask:

1. How often do students meet, and in what group size?
2. Do students keep the same tutor?
3. Are tutors certified teachers?
4. How is tutoring aligned to our curriculum?
5. What progress data will we receive?

High-dosage tutoring from Fullmind

Fullmind’s high-dosage tutoring means frequent small-group sessions with the same certified tutor, built into the school day.

Every district has a dedicated account manager and access to Fullmind’s success managers. Fullmind doesn’t lock districts into rigid contracts, and districts don’t have to use everything they sign up for, so support can grow or shrink as needs change.

Results

• Yuba City, CA: students grew 2.22 times faster in ELA
• King Center Charter School, NY: students beat projected math growth by 38.5%
• Lower Kuskokwim, AK: each additional tutoring hour added 5.5 math points
• A Utah district: students beat expected reading growth by 72%

See more district results on our case studies page.

How to fund tutoring programs

Tutoring is commonly funded through Title I, Part A. Many states also fund tutoring programs directly. Check eligibility and allowable uses with your federal programs coordinator. For more on Title I, see our Title I funding guide.

How to get started with Fullmind

1. Tell us about your district. An education consultant learns about your students, schedule, staffing and goals.
2. Get a plan built around your needs. We recommend the right service, or combination of services, and the right format.
3. Meet your educators. We match certified teachers or licensed specialists to your students and your state’s requirements.
4. Start learning and track progress. Instruction begins on your schedule, and your team sees attendance and progress as it happens.

Related guides

• Test prep for schools
• Homework help programs
• Credit recovery programs
• Virtual summer school

Talk with Fullmind

Tell us which students you want to reach and when, and we’ll show you how a Fullmind tutoring program could fit your school day. Build your plan, book a time, or learn more about high-dosage tutoring programs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best online tutoring programs for schools?

Look for programs with frequent sessions, small groups, a consistent tutor, certified teachers and alignment to your curriculum, along with results from districts like yours.

How is high-dosage tutoring different from regular tutoring?

High-dosage tutoring is frequent, small-group and consistent, usually several sessions a week with the same tutor during the school day.

Can high-dosage tutoring be online?

Yes. Online tutoring programs can deliver high-dosage tutoring live, with the same frequency and group sizes.