According to the 2019 NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) Report Card, 34% of 4th graders scored below a basic reading achievement level. Students with reading deficits come from different backgrounds, but the narrative is the same no matter where they are from. Many of these students struggle with reading from the start. They watch their peers become more advanced readers while their own reading skills stalled. Eventually they lose confidence and self-esteem

The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary defines tutoring as “to teach or guide usually individually in a special subject or for a particular purpose : coach”. I especially like the use of “coach” as part of the definition because that’s how I approach tutoring: my goal is to deepen students’ understanding so they can do the work on their own. If parents hire a tutor with the sole purpose of helping their kids increase their grades, they are being short-sighted. A good tutor should h