Why Tutoring?

Tutoring: A Tool For Success

Why Use Tutoring?

Tutoring gets results!  As with anything in life, you only get out of it what you put into it.  To get the most out of tutoring, you need to come prepared and work hard when you meet with a tutor.  But if you apply yourself, you’ll reap the academic rewards.

Consider this:

• Studies show students who attend more repeat tutoring visits (4 or more) in a semester will receive better grade outcomes (more successful grade outcomes) than students who attend none. They also tend to improve from course to course within a sequence.
• Studies also show students who participate in specialized cohort interventions such as those that provide constant engagement with support, successful college habits/skills and learning strategies, have even higher rates of successful grade outcomes, retention and graduation rates.

The proof is in the numbers:

Fall 2018 & Fall 2019 (all languages supported): *positive values are better*

1. Students with ≥4 tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): +15%
2. Students with zero tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): -1.4%
3. Rate Changes b/t Rate Differences: ≥4 tutoring appointments *positive values are better*
   • +95.5% - more students received successful grade outcomes in FA19
4. DFWI Rate Changes: *negative values are better*
   • All languages / ≥4 visits: -52%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC decreased
   • All languages / zero visits: +11%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC increased

Fall 2019 & Fall 2020 (all languages supported): *positive values are better*

1. Students with ≥4 tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): +11%
2. Students with zero tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): -1.2%
3. Rate Changes b/t Rate Differences: ≥4 tutoring appointments *positive values are better*
   • +1,866% - more students received successful grade outcomes in FA20
4. DFWI Rate Changes: *negative values are better*
   • All languages / ≥4 visits: -48%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC decreased
   • All languages / zero visits: +17%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC increased

Fall 2018 & Fall 2020 (all languages supported): *positive values are better*

1. Students with ≥4 tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): +28%
2. Students with zero tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): -2.5%
3. Rate Changes b/t Rate Differences: ≥4 tutoring appointments *positive values are better*
   • +179% - more students received successful grade outcomes in FA20
4. DFWI Rate Changes: *negative values are better*
   • All languages / ≥4 visits: -75%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC decreased
   • All languages / zero visits: +29%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC increased

Fall 2018 & Spring 2021 (all languages supported): *positive values are better*

1. Students with ≥4 tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): +30%
2. Students with zero tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): -0.7%
3. Rate Changes b/t Rate Differences: ≥4 tutoring appointments *positive values are better*
   • +182% - more students received successful grade outcomes in SP21
4. DFWI Rate Changes: *negative values are better*
   • All languages / ≥4 visits: -82%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC decreased
   • All languages / zero visits: +11%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC increased

Grand Total Rate Change FA18-FA23 (all languages supported): *positive values are better*

1. Students with ≥4 tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): +24%
2. Students with zero tutoring appointments receiving successful grade outcomes (C or higher): -4%
3. Rate Changes b/t Rate Differences: ≥4 tutoring appointments *positive values are better*
   • +173% - more students received successful grade outcomes in FA23
4. DFWI Rate Changes: *negative values are better*
   • All languages / ≥4 visits: -66%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC decreased
   • All languages / zero visits: +29%
     • Grades of D, F, W, & INC increased

Conclusion:

1. Tutoring works in helping students receive more successful grade outcomes
2. Tutoring also works in decreasing the DFWI rates
3. Tutoring has even overcome the sharp rate decline because of the pandemic in Spring 2020
4. This is all a result of - leadership, constructive meta-cognitive learning strategies, positive customer service, collaboration with Modern Languages & Literatures (MLL) department, increased awareness of MLC services and resources, and a dedication to student success. 

Table 1: Successful Grade Outcomes- ≥4 Tutoring Visits vs. Zero Tutoring Visits

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If I use a tutor, isn’t that a sign that I’m weak or not smart enough?

NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!

It is not true that some students are smart and others are not. Success is learned! - its time, effort and strategy applied across the breadth and depth of your learning process. 

Students at every level come for tutoring. Academic support is a tool for success just like the gym is a tool to feel and look healthier. You would never say going to the gym because you want to be healthy is a sign of weakness. People are inspired and encouraged by those who go to the gym just as people should be inspired and encouraged by those who go to tutoring. Needing some extra help with college subjects is the norm, not a sign of weakness or a lack of “smartness.” 

In fact, just the opposite is true:  Taking advantage of the free campus resources to help you succeed is a sign that you’re motivated towards improvement by expanding your active learning environment. This fosters the mastery-oriented response resulting in an improved independent learner!

How do I get the most out of tutoring?

1. Come early! Come often!
   1. Students who begin tutoring from the beginning of the semester typically do better than those who wait.
       
2. Book appointments early.
   1. During peak times in the semester, students may need to book at least a week in advance to get the times they prefer.
       
3. Come prepared. 
   1. Bring class notes, textbooks/worksheets, and any material being used as part of learning for the course. 
   2. Look over readings and work on problems in advance. 
   3. Bring a list of specific questions based on the problems or sections being worked on.
   4. The more students prepare, the more they will get out of the session.
       
4. Missed class.
   1. Get the notes from a classmate, reach out to the professor, or check blackboard before going to a tutoring session. Tutoring is not a substitute for attending class. It’s an addition to your learning!