High-Impact Tutoring: A Proven Strategy to Accelerate Literacy Growth

Reading proficiency is the foundation of academic success, but classroom instruction alone isn't enough for students recovering from pandemic learning loss. High-impact tutoring (HIT), or high-dosage tutoring (HDT), delivers targeted acceleration, closing gaps and empowering students to thrive.

At OnYourMark Education, we partner with schools to deliver live virtual high-impact tutoring rooted in the Science of Reading. Our Stanford University-validated model helps students gain 24–51 extra days of learning in critical literacy skills like letter sounds and decoding.

(You can learn more about our mission and work here.)

This page covers:

What high-impact tutoring is (and how it differs from traditional tutoring)
Why it works (the research and real-school results)
How to implement it effectively in your school or district (funding, partnership, and success stories)

High-impact tutoring (HIT), also called high-dose or high-dosage tutoring (HDT), is a structured, evidence-based approach designed to rapidly accelerate learning. Unlike traditional tutoring, HIT combines:

Frequency: 3-5 sessions per week
Personalization: Skills-targeted lessons
Data-driven adjustments: Weekly or bi-weekly progress checks
Relationship-building: Consistent tutors build trust

HIT is not...

Occasional homework help
Test prep cram sessions
Teacher-led small group instruction
Generic "remediation" without diagnostics

High-dosage tutoring is a surgical tool, not a bandage. It targets skill gaps and develops a clear plan to close them.

(Adapted from EdResearch for Action)

Frequency and Duration: Minimum 3x/week for 10+ weeks
Micro-Group Sizing: 1:1 to 1:3 ratios for laser focus
Expert Personnel: Trained tutors + ongoing coaching
Aligned Curriculum: Reinforces core classroom instruction (e.g., Science of Reading)
Embedded Scheduling: During the school day for reliability
Progress Transparency: Real-time data shared with teachers

Explore the full HIT framework from The Annenberg Institute →

OnYourMark’s live virtual tutoring program is designed with these principles in mind. See our considerations in our free download, the Ultimate Guide to High-Impact Tutoring.

Non-Negotiables for Literacy Acceleration

For high-impact tutoring to work, it should align with the previously mentioned design principles for high-impact tutoring. For true reading growth, prioritize programs with:

Certified tutors: Trained in the Science of Reading and best teaching practices
Curriculum alignment: Reinforces core instruction (e.g., UFLI, Science of Reading-based programs)
Micro-Groups: 1:1, 1:2, or a maximum ratio of 1:3 for personalized skill building
Regular progress monitoring and reporting: Assessments to drive instruction with high-quality assessments (e.g., DIBELS®)

For more about implementing a Science of Reading-based approach to literacy instruction, check out this blog post.

Why Do Schools Choose OnYourMark?

Because our model solves the efficacy-scalability dilemma:

Human connection: Students work with the same (highly-trained) tutor for 10-week bursts to build trust + consistency
Virtual efficiency: 20 mins/day during school hours (zero facility costs)
Precision growth: Regular progress monitoring for targeted skills
Funding optimized: Approved for federal and state grants nationwide
Flexible scheduling: During the school day, to accommodate individual schools’ master schedules

From exploration to growth in 90 days—here’s how schools like yours succeed:

Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-2)

Goals: Align stakeholders and secure funding.

Key Activities

Conduct needs assessments: Use high-quality universal screeners, like DIBELS®, to gather student data
Identify student cohorts: Make a list of all Tier 2/Tier 3 students.
Compile funding sources: Schools and districts can use a combination of federal, state, and local funding opportunities to pay for high-dosage tutoring.

We understand that funding is always a challenge. We compiled a list of potential funding sources to help you make sense of available options.

OnYourMark Support

Let us help you with a free data analysis session and funding checklist. Get in touch today.

Tutor training: Science of Reading and teaching best practices, including supporting multilingual learners

Tech integration: Coordinating with your LMS for easy login

Progress monitoring and reporting: Regular progress reports for transparency and data-driven instruction

Monthly connection calls

Curriculum alignment check-ins

Feedback and improvement cycles

Monthly growth updates

Data review + celebration moments

Shared success trackers

Student shout-out templates
("Tutoring Superstar!")

Co-branded family comms

SY 2024-25 Highlights

*Note: Data is based upon students who received full-year tutoring and
reporting BOY and EOY data

Exceeding Growth Expectations

54% of tutored students met or exceeded growth expectations with 34% achieving above or well above average growth

More Students Meeting Benchmarks

175% increase in the number of students who achieved At/Above Benchmark from BOY to EOY

Massive Overall Growth

21-percentage point increase in the percent of students At/Above Benchmark from BOY to EOY (12% to 33%)

Challenge

“We saw a lot of gaps in student knowledge from the COVID pandemic. We had Kindergarteners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders who either never stepped into a classroom or had gone hybrid and were only in a couple of days a week. We saw that we really had a lot of trouble catching up on grade-level literacy.”
–Nick Erber, former Director of Learning Acceleration, Uplift Education

Solution

1:1 and 1:2 live virtual tutoring, 20 minutes/day, 4 days/week
Tutors trained in the Science of Reading and teaching best practices

Outcomes

Qualitative:

“I see the kids get excited to go to OnYourMark! So if it's Wednesday, and we don't have [OnYourMark] that day, they’re like ‘No! No OnYourMark today?’ They're genuinely excited about being there and learning. I feel like OnYourMark’s relationship-building is definitely a strength.”
–Imani Thomas, Primary Dean, IB PYP Coordinator, Uplift Luna Preparatory

Quantitative (2023): In 2022-23, the NSSA at Stanford University conducted a randomized controlled trial of Uplift students enrolled in OnYourMark’s programming. The results proved that the OnYourMark model is highly effective:
- Kindergarteners gained 24 extra days of learning in foundational literacy skills
- 1st Graders gained 51 extra days of learning in foundational literacy skills
Coming Soon: 2024-25 growth data

Coming soon: Read the case study →

Starting Point

When Veronica started 1st grade in 2022, she was in the 11th percentile** for reading. Identified as a Tier 2 student, she began receiving OnYourMark’s tutoring services. By the end of the year, she had jumped to the 31st percentile—a 20% increase.

As a 2nd grader, Veronica worked with Donna Auwarter for 20 minutes a day, four days a week. By midyear, she had climbed to the 47th percentile, and by the end of the year, she stabilized at the 40th percentile.

Sustained Growth

In 2024-25, her 3rd grade year, Veronica was no longer receiving OnYourMark tutoring, but the impact of her time with Donna is undeniable. By midyear, she had soared to the 73rd percentile, achieving well-above-average growth in every measurable skill: letter sounds, decoding, word reading, reading accuracy, and reading fluency.

The Model

Consistent tutor-student pairings foster trust and the courage to take academic risks, building confidence. “She went from being hesitant to read aloud to volunteering to read in front of her class. That’s the kind of growth that stays with a child for life.”
–Donna Auwarter, OnYourMark Tutor

*Name changed for privacy.

Read the case study →

Solution

1:2 live virtual tutoring during the school day (bridging geographic and resource gaps)
Bi-weekly progress updates and collaboration calls

Outcomes

Qualitative:

“When these kids are getting these interventions, they're better able to engage, they have more confidence, they're answering questions... They're excited about the content. Those are some of the things that we've seen teachers say about the kids who are supported by OnYourMark.”
–Dana Talley, former Chief Academic Officer at Lincoln Parish Schools

Quantitative (2023): After 10 weeks, the 80 students receiving support grew +4.2% on their overall composite reading scores. Kindergartners showed the highest gains, moving from the 13th to 24th percentiles.
Coming Soon: 2024-25 growth data

Read the case study →

How does OnYourMark's tutoring work for Kindergarteners?

We understand concerns about virtual learning for the youngest students. However, our experience shows that Kindergarteners adapt remarkably well to our virtual tutoring format, especially as virtual interactions become more normalized for this generation. We've found that the relationship-building between our tutors and Kindergarten students happens at lightning speed! In fact, one district, Lincoln Parish, reported that their Kindergarteners adapted well to the virtual format after just a few sessions.

Our tutoring sessions are specifically designed to be engaging and effective for this age group. We also thoughtfully designed our sessions to be 20 minutes long (originally 30 minutes), based on insights into young learners' attention spans and early feedback from pilot partners.

How does OnYourMark's curriculum align with what we already use in our school/district?

OnYourMark's tutoring aligns with a variety of widely recognized high-quality instructional materials and approaches, including:

Fundations
HM (Houghton Mifflin)
Heggerty
Lindamood-Bell
Orton-Gillingham
Wilson
LETRS (Lexia)
Wit & Wisdom
Expeditionary Learning

Research consistently shows that foundational reading skills can be taught effectively in isolation. Our team works closely with your school to translate your specific student data (like DIBELS scores) into actionable insights, ensuring our tutoring complements your existing instruction and creates a coherent learning experience for students, teachers, and leaders.

What curriculum do your tutors use during each session?

Our tutors primarily use Amplify's mClass Intervention curriculum. For select partner sites, we also integrate the UFLI curriculum, a research-based, Science of Reading-aligned curriculum from the University of Florida. Both curricula ensure our tutoring is grounded in evidence-based practices for foundational literacy skills.

Can OnYourMark's program support students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)?

Yes, we absolutely support students with IEPs.

We work closely with schools to identify students who are well-positioned to thrive in our tutoring model. Often, students with attention challenges, whose needs may not be fully met in whole-group settings, benefit significantly from the more personalized, one-on-one (or very small group) attention provided by our tutors.

We apply the same individualized approach to these students as we do for all learners, providing the necessary scaffolded supports to help them progress in their foundational reading skills. We proactively collaborate with your school team to understand students' specific needs and remain responsive during sessions to optimize their engagement and learning.

How do schools typically fund OnYourMark tutoring services?

Our school partners utilize a variety of funding sources to implement OnYourMark tutoring. While ESSER funds are no longer broadly available, schools have successfully leveraged:

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Title I
Title II
State-level funding initiatives
Local philanthropic support

You can see more about funding for HIT on our funding page. We can also discuss specific funding opportunities and strategies with your team.

How does OnYourMark tutoring look in a school setting?

Our school partners typically implement tutoring during the school day using one of three flexible models to best fit their unique schedules, spaces, and technology resources:

Model 1 (In-Classroom Station Rotation): Students receive OnYourMark tutoring virtually from inside their general education classroom, integrating seamlessly as a station rotation during the literacy block.
Model 2 (Common Space Hub): Students receiving OnYourMark tutoring gather in a designated common space, such as a library, cafeteria, or an extra classroom, for their virtual literacy sessions.
Model 3 (Hybrid Approach): A flexible combination of Model 1 and Model 2, where some students remain in their classrooms for tutoring while others utilize a common space.

Can you explain the difference between a "seat price" and a "student price”?

OnYourMark charges a seat fee for tutoring services, rather than a fixed student fee. This approach offers schools greater flexibility throughout the academic year, allowing you to maximize your tutoring investment.

If an enrolled student no longer requires literacy support or transitions out of your school community, their allocated "seat" can be reassigned to another student in need, ensuring your tutoring dollars are fully utilized to support your students.

Can I see a video of an OnYourMark tutoring session in action?

Yes! Seeing our tutoring in action can be incredibly helpful. You can get a sense for how it works in this video:

Tutoring at Ouachita Parish Schools (Louisiana)

An actual tutoring session video is in progress, and we hope to share that with you soon!

In today's dynamic educational landscape, ensuring every student develops strong foundational literacy skills is more critical than ever. High-impact tutoring, grounded in the Science of Reading, offers a proven, evidence-based pathway to significantly accelerate learning and effectively close reading gaps.

At OnYourMark, we understand the unique challenges faced by district leaders and principals—from staffing limitations and resource constraints to the vital need for consistent curriculum implementation and addressing diverse student needs.

Our high-impact tutoring solution is meticulously designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing strategies, providing flexible, data-driven, and highly personalized support that empowers both your educators and your students.

We are committed to helping you foster literacy growth across your district, ensuring every child receives the targeted instruction and caring relationships needed to achieve their full reading potential.

Discover how a partnership with OnYourMark can make a measurable difference for your students and your team. Have a member of our team reach out to you today.

Traditional Provider	OnYourMark Partnership
Schools/families manage tutor quality	We certify all tutors
Tech setup = school IT burden	We handle logins and work with your tech
Learning siloed in separate systems	Curriculum alignment reinforces classroom learning
Ad-hoc communication	Dedicated relationship manager

High-Impact Tutoring:A Proven Strategy to Accelerate Literacy Growth

Contents

What Is High-Impact or High-Dosage Tutoring?

HIT is not...

6 Essential Design Principles of High-Dose Tutoring

Why High-Impact Tutoring Matters

The Literacy Crisis:Urgent and Unignorable

HIT Delivers Real Results—Fast

The Ripple Effect of Lasting Change

Key Components of Effective Tutoring Programs

Non-Negotiables for Literacy Acceleration

Why Do Schools Choose OnYourMark?

"We serve 2x more students without sacrificing outcomes."

Your HIT Implementation Roadmap