Making Peer Tutoring Work

Schools do not have enough teachers or aides to work one-on-one with every student needing extra assistance. Also, English and reading peer tutors require extensive training before working with students. How can these challenges be overcome? Let's look at two examples:

• Adapting peer tutoring in The Karate Kid caused the main character to learn karate without being taught. (Video clip.)
• As demonstrated in a national television newscast with Harry Reasoner, instruction adapted for peer tutoring caused a beginner to learn to play tennis without technical instructions. (Video clip.)

In both examples, pairing simple, easy-to-follow directions with personalized feedback replaced complicated explanations and technical instructions to cause these students to learn karate and tennis.

• PEER TUTORING IN ACTION: A local newscast showcased how 40 ASU football players became peer tutors for high school students. (Video clip.)

Peer tutoring provides more opportunities for interaction and personalized feedback, thereby alleviating pressure on individual classroom teachers. Students who receive peer tutoring can quickly learn to tutor others using the same materials. One overlooked benefit is encouraging more students to be teachers.

History of Our Programs

History of Our Programs

We began our program by training college students to tutor high school students.  In our program at South Mountain High School, college students tutored students who had failed the AIMS reading test three to five times. … Read More>>

Tutoring programs

Tutoring

After School Tutoring: In a program at Cesar Chavez High School, the percentage of English Language Learning students passing the AIMS reading test went from 27% to 42%. Yes, high school students can be effective … Read More>>

 Make A Difference

Make A Difference

“No one can help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” Let’s work together to advance literacy in our community and make this a better place for the next generation. Help others live their dreams in a world where … Read More>>