As schools continue to seek effective ways to support student learning, high-dosage tutoring has emerged as one of the most promising interventions available. According to recent research from MDRC, high-dosage tutoring – defined as “consistently scheduled tutorials during the school day in which students work with a trained tutor in small groups…at least three times per week” – is showing remarkable results in improving student achievement.
Why During-School Tutoring Matters
One of the most crucial decisions in implementing a tutoring program is when to schedule it. While after-school programs might seem like an easier solution, research strongly suggests that embedding tutoring within the school day leads to better outcomes. As noted in MDRC’s 2024 study:
“Some places across the country have said, ‘Oh, it’s really hard to schedule tutoring and there’s a lot of important stuff happening during the school day. Let’s make these after-school programs.’ Our observation… has been that that’s really hard to pull off well. An after-school [program] is more of an optional activity, and so students may or may not sign up—the students who need it most.”
Leveraging Intervention Blocks and Flex Periods
One of the most effective strategies for implementing high-dosage tutoring is to utilize existing intervention blocks or flex periods. As the MDRC research indicates, “scheduling tutoring time during a preexisting period that is designed to deliver supplemental instructions—what some schools call an intervention block—may be ideal, as students would not miss classroom instruction or periods they find desirable.”
These dedicated periods offer several advantages:
- Students don’t miss core instruction
- There’s less resistance from classroom teachers
- It becomes part of the regular school routine
- It allows for consistent scheduling across the week
Reducing Stigma Through Smart Scheduling
One often-overlooked benefit of scheduling tutoring during the regular school day is its impact on student perception. The MDRC study found that “when tutoring is integrated into the regular schedule, it becomes a normal part of the school day rather than being seen as remedial support.”
This integration helps normalize the tutoring experience and makes students more likely to attend and engage.
The Critical Role of Scheduling Tools and Systems
Even the best-planned tutoring program can falter without proper systems for scheduling and attendance tracking. As one teacher noted in the MDRC research: “they’re unclear about when they should go… the teacher whose class they’re sitting in when they’re supposed to go may tell them something different about when to attend.”
To address this challenge, schools need an integrated Scheduling System.
- Schools need a flexible scheduling system that integrates directly with their Student Information System (SIS)
- The system should allow for easy scheduling of recurring tutoring sessions while accommodating changes for school events, testing periods, and other schedule adjustments
- Teachers, tutors, and administrators need real-time access to see which students are scheduled for tutoring, when, and where
- The system should automatically sync with class rosters and student schedules to prevent conflicts
- Automated notifications can help students know where they need to be during flex periods
- Schools need efficient ways to track attendance that is easily accessible to administrators
Making the Most of Flex Time: Beyond Tutoring
While high-dosage tutoring is a critical intervention for students who need additional support, flex time or intervention blocks can serve multiple purposes simultaneously. This flexibility is one of the key advantages of building tutoring into these periods – it allows schools to meet diverse student needs within the same time block.
During these periods, students who don’t require tutoring can engage in various enrichment activities, including creative enrichment, quiet study, and time with peers.
This multi-tiered approach to flex time ensures that all students are engaged in meaningful activities that support their academic growth and personal development. It also helps further reduce any stigma associated with tutoring, as all students are actively engaged in different types of learning activities during this period.
Looking Ahead
Effective scheduling is not just about finding time in the day – it’s about creating a sustainable system that supports student success. By thoughtfully integrating tutoring into the school day and supporting it with robust scheduling and communication systems, schools can maximize the impact of their high-dosage tutoring programs and help ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed.
Further Reading:
Strassberger, M., & Condliffe, B. (2024). How to Build It and Ensure They Will Come: Educators’ Advice on High-Dosage Tutoring Programs. MDRC,