We are thrilled to host this annual National Student Support Accelerator event “Scaling High-Impact Tutoring: Uniting Research and Decision Making for Effective Solutions.” It's a big title—but it's exactly what we’re here to do—unite research and decision making.
This conference is a moment I look forward to all year. It’s not just a gathering of experts, educators, policymakers, and innovators. It’s a community that shares a commitment to improving student outcomes, and a belief in one of the most promising, evidence-based strategies in K-12 education today: #highimpacttutoring.
Just a few years ago, we were asking, ‘Can this even work?’—tutoring during the school day for those who need it most. Today, we know the answer is yes. Now, we get to ask, 'How do we make it even better and for more students in more schools?’
Think about where we were four years ago when we knew students could benefit from high-impact tutoring, but we weren’t so sure we could get beneficial programs to students at scale.
But High-Impact Tutoring has not only endured, it has expanded. It has taken root in urban districts and in rural districts, in elementary, middle and high schools, through in-person and virtual formats. And it’s working.
And it’s rare to be able to say this. We don’t often get to say with this level of confidence that something works.
We’ve known for years that students learn better when they feel seen, supported, and connected. Tutoring provides exactly that: a consistent, caring adult who shows up for them, who believes in them, who helps them both navigate content and build the confidence they need to learn. They need tutors who notice and celebrate each of their successes.
Historically, tutoring was a tool reserved for affluent families—an advantage used to stay ahead. But we are rewriting that narrative. We’re saying that every student deserves access to high-quality tutoring when they need it. Not as an add-on. Not as an afterthought. But as part of their education, integrated into their school day, and aligned with their curriculum.
I’m excited to announce that we’ve just released the updated High-Impact Tutoring District Playbook. This new edition includes the latest research, new case studies, and practical guidance with all new tools on implementation, staffing, scheduling, and monitoring effectiveness. If you’re trying to make tutoring a core part of your district’s long-term strategy, this Playbook can be a roadmap.
Our team, in partnership with a number of terrific experts in the field, developed a clearer, cleaner resource that can walk you through the details you need without compromising on thoroughness or quality. #NSSA2025
