In October 2022, Ontario released the provincial assessment results of the Education Quality and Accountability Office. Fewer than 50% of Grade 6 students met the provincial standard in math. It was the first time since the start of the pandemic that the tests were administered. The data also highlighted that the most recent provincial results are the same as student scores in 2018. In 2021, slightly more than half of Ontario students in Grade 9 math met the provincial testing standard. This decline is also reflected on international student assessments where Canadian high school student’s scores in mathematics have been falling over time. The agency that administers the tests attributes the lower scores to the impact of COVID-19.

The subject of math can pose difficulties for students of all ages. Whether it’s struggling with basic arithmetic or grappling with advanced calculus, many students find themselves in need of additional support to strengthen their skills. One-to-one high-impact math tutoring has proven to be a valuable tool in helping students improve their math abilities, especially for those who need extra guidance.

The past few years of classroom disruptions, social isolation, and indirect teacher instruction have had a devastating effect on neurodiverse learners, many of whom have struggled continually to adapt to new formats, keep up with their peers, manage their time, maintain their mental health, and remain engaged. Studies examining the detrimental effects of COVID-19 policies on academic achievement have been conducted in countries around the world. In Canada, the pandemic led to significant changes in education that halted progress for many students. Undesirable outcomes included mass and localized school closures, multiple models of education delivery, and severe gaps in support for students with disabilities.

Why students struggle

Many students find math challenging and struggle with learning it for different reasons. Some may lack confidence, have trouble focusing or staying on task, or have a negative attitude toward math. Others may have difficulty processing information as quickly as their classmates or have trouble with things like remembering information. The absence of direct math instruction during the pandemic has also had a detrimental effect. When students don’t get enough practice with math concepts and skills, it can also make it harder for them to learn. Research has shown that if students don’t understand basic math concepts taught in elementary school, they may have trouble with math in high school. At Evoke Learning, our math programs help students who are behind in math by giving them extra time to learn and addressing their learning challenges. This helps bridge the gap and ensures that they don’t fall further behind.

What is high-impact tutoring?

Evoke’s high-impact tutoring program begins with a diagnostic assessment that enables us to pinpoint the specific concepts and curriculum expectations with which a student is struggling and specifically what has been creating a barrier to their understanding of current grade content. The information collected from the math diagnostic is helpful in guiding our tutors so they may effectively and efficiently develop a student’s skills and build fluency. The information also helps in monitoring the progress made from the intervention program so that instruction is strategic and can be adjusted as needed. The diagnostic identifies specific concepts, skills, and curriculum expectations that require learning acceleration. While ensuring the student understands current grade concepts, the tutor strategically builds in key prior math units and/or grade concepts that the student may need in order to develop grade-level proficiency. The tutor connects unfinished learning within the context of new learning.

Our high-impact math tutoring program ensures that the student works with the same practitioner consistently and can develop a strong rapport with their tutor. The program is time-intensive—three hours a week for 30 minutes—and provides adequate practice to develop proficiency in math concepts and skills. In addition to building math fluency to reduce cognitive load for the student, the program teaches strategies for solving word problems, helps students develop number sense, and cultivates test and exam preparation skills.

Why summer is the perfect time for high-impact math tutoring

Summer offers a unique opportunity for students to invest time in math tutoring and improve their skills. With the academic year ending, students have more flexibility in their schedules, allowing them to focus on areas where they may have struggled during the school year. Summer math tutoring delivered online can provide a supportive environment without the added pressure of regular school assignments, exams, or other commitments. This can help students to focus better, make significant progress, and build a solid foundation in math skills.

Additionally, many students experience learning loss or the “summer slide” during the long break, when they have little opportunity to practice the skills they gained during the previous school year. Engaging in high-impact math tutoring during the summer can help prevent this decline and ensure that students are better prepared for the upcoming school year. It also gives them a head start, as they may have covered topics in advance, which can boost their confidence and motivation for the new academic year.

During the school year, teachers may not have enough time to provide individual support to every student. In contrast, online summer high-impact math tutoring can provide students with more focused attention from a tutor who can tailor the instruction to their individual needs.

Math tutoring during the summer can also be a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for students, who can work at their own pace, with less stress and fewer distractions. This can help them develop a positive attitude toward math and build their self-esteem as they see improvement in their skills. Online summer tutoring can also provide a change of environment, making learning more engaging and exciting for students.

Award-winning math educator and author Marilyn Burns writes that “summer is a great time for students to catch up or get ahead in math. Math skills don’t just disappear when the school year ends, but students’ opportunity to use and practice those skills often decreases. Summer math programs provide that practice and give students a chance to stay connected with math, which can be especially important for students who struggle with the subject.”

A recent meta-analysis of the impact of summer programs on student mathematics achievement by investigators at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut found that students from families across all income groups who participated in summer programs that included math activities experienced significantly better achievement outcomes, compared to their control group counterparts (Lynch, An, and Mancenido, 2022).

Additionally, a discussion paper published in early 2023 by the Centre for Economic Performance in the U.K. showed that an intensive, eight-week-long, online math tutoring program delivered by qualified math teachers in groups of two students outside of school hours significantly increased their test scores and final math grades while reducing the probability of repeating the school year. According to the study, this approach also raised student aspirations and self-reported effort in the classroom.

One-to-one teaching is one of the oldest and most effective forms of instruction. Online personal tutoring offers many benefits and opportunities that make it ideal for strengthening math skills:

Customized Instruction: Students are unique, and math tutoring can be tailored to their individual needs. Skilled math tutors assess a student’s strengths and weaknesses, and develop a customized plan to address their specific requirements. This can include identifying knowledge gaps, focusing on areas of difficulty, and building on existing skills. Customized instruction allows students to progress at their own pace, with targeted guidance and support.

Clear Explanation: Math concepts can be complex, and students may struggle to understand them in a classroom setting. A math tutor can provide clear and concise explanations, breaking down concepts into simple steps and using visual aids or real-life examples to make them relatable. This helps students grasp the underlying principles and develop a solid foundation of understanding.

Foundation-Building: Math concepts build upon each other, so it’s essential to ensure that the student has a strong foundation in the basics. Math tutors ensure that the student understands fundamental concepts before moving on to more advanced topics.

Safe and Supportive Environments: Students may feel intimidated, overwhelmed, or frustrated by math, especially if they’ve struggled with the subject in the past. An effective math tutor can create a safe and supportive environment where the student feels comfortable asking questions, admitting they are having difficulty, and making mistakes. Tutors can provide regular ongoing motivation and encouragement that students won’t receive in a regular classroom.

A Focus on Problem-Solving Skills: Math tutors can help the student develop stronger problem-solving skills, such as identifying the necessary information, breaking down the problem, and applying appropriate strategies.

Practice and Reinforcement: Practice makes perfect, and math tutoring includes ample opportunities for students to practice their skills. This can involve solving math problems, completing worksheets, engaging in interactive online activities, or playing math games. Regular practice helps students reinforce their learning, build confidence, and improve their problem-solving skills.

Feedback and Assessment: Feedback is crucial for students to understand their progress and areas that need improvement. Math tutors can provide timely and constructive feedback on a student’s work, pointing out strengths and areas for improvement. Regular assessments can also help track progress and identify areas that may need further attention. This allows students to continually refine their skills and build on their successes.

Online high-impact math tutoring allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, time, and location. Students can receive tutoring from anywhere in any location with an internet connection, and tutors can more easily accommodate varying schedules—no driving or parking required. Online tutoring also offers more individualized attention than traditional tutoring, as the tutor can easily focus on the student’s specific needs and adjust the pace and level of instruction accordingly. It gives students access to a wider pool of tutors, including those who may be in different regions or countries. This can increase the likelihood of finding a tutor who is the right fit for the student’s needs. Online high-impact math tutoring also makes use of technology to enhance the learning experience, incorporating virtual whiteboards, online tools and resources, and screen sharing to facilitate interactive and engaging learning sessions. Students who feel embarrassed by their need for academic support can enjoy complete privacy online.

Contact us to find out more about Evoke’s online summer math programs, including Academic Recovery (Grades 3-12) and Math Booster (Grades 5-12), and help your student close the gap between ability and achievement.

Summer vacation can be a time of relaxation and fun for children, but it can also lead to a significant backslide in academic progress. Research has shown that students can lose up to two months of reading progress during the summer months, which can put them at a disadvantage when they return to school in the fall. This is where summer reading programs can make a difference, especially when delivered through one-to-one tutoring.

Linda Cameron, associate professor emeritus at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, has written about the importance of reading remediation programs in helping students succeed in school. "Summer reading programs can help students maintain and even improve their reading skills over the summer months. This can have a significant impact on their academic success, as reading is an essential skill for learning across all subject areas. Programs that are tailored to students' individual needs and interests can be particularly effective in engaging them and fostering a love of reading that can last a lifetime."

There are many reasons why students have difficulty with reading:

Limited exposure to print: Students who have limited exposure to materials such as books, magazines, and newspapers, may struggle with reading. This may be due to a lack of familiarity with print, as well as limited vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Weak phonological awareness: Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in language. Students with poor phonological awareness may struggle with decoding words and recognizing sight words, which can make reading difficult.

Limited vocabulary: Students with limited vocabulary (often a consequence of weak phonological awareness) may struggle to understand what they are reading, as they may not be familiar with the words used in the text.

Poor comprehension skills: Students may have trouble understanding what they are reading, even if they are able to decode words and recognize sight words. This can be caused by a lack of background knowledge, limited vocabulary, or difficulty with inferencing and making connections between ideas.

Attention and focus issues: Students who have problems with attention and focus may have difficulty staying engaged with reading materials, which can make it challenging to develop strong reading skills.

Learning disabilities: Students with learning differences, such as dyslexia, may struggle with reading because of problems with decoding, recognizing sight words, and comprehending text.

Emotional and behavioral issues: Students who are trying to manage such issues may have trouble focusing on reading, processing information, and retaining what they have learned.

It’s important for educators and parents to identify these challenges early and provide targeted interventions to support their child’s reading development. Many students appear to be reading when they are only sight-reading, and not understanding what they read. They make up for their lack of skill by guessing the meaning of the text in a sentence and identifying the words they have memorized. This is referred to as compensating. When students sight-read, it strains their working memory, which further reduces their ability to comprehend. On the surface, it may look like reading is fluent, but it is challenging. There is very little working memory and attention available to understand what is being read.

Struggling readers require explicit, structured reading instruction (teaching that leaves nothing to chance and makes no assumptions). Students with reading difficulties do not catch up without systematic and intensive intervention and practice; this involves considerable time on task, consistency, duration of instruction, and evidence-based approaches based in reading science. Reading is not innate, it is a skill that must be taught, and some students require direct instruction to be successful readers.

Putting the Student First

Individual tutoring is one of the oldest and most effective forms of instruction, as it provides students with resources that can be difficult to access in a traditional classroom setting. Its benefits include:

Personalized Attention and Support

In a traditional classroom setting, teachers must divide their attention among many students, making it difficult to provide individualized instruction. With one-to-one tutoring, students receive help from a dedicated reading tutor who can tailor the instruction to meet their specific needs. This customized support can be especially beneficial for struggling readers, who may require extra assistance to make progress in their reading skills. This targeted instruction helps students improve their abilities and builds their self-confidence as readers.

Flexibility and Convenience

Online individualized tutoring sessions can be scheduled at a time that works best for the student and their family, making it easy to squeeze sessions into a busy summer schedule. Additionally, it can be done from the comfort of the student's home, eliminating the need for travel and making tutoring sessions more accessible for families who may live in rural areas or have limited transportation options. This flexibility and convenience can be especially important for students who have other summer commitments, such as sports or family vacations. With online tutoring, students can receive the support they need to maintain their reading skills, without sacrificing other important summer activities.

Improved Reading Skills and Confidence

Of course, the primary benefit of summer reading programs is the improvement in reading skills and self-esteem that students can achieve. Studies have shown that summer reading programs can significantly improve students' reading abilities, helping to prevent the "summer slide" and keep students on track for success when they return to school in the fall.

Increased Motivation and Engagement

Summer reading programs delivered through one-to-one tutoring can also increase students' motivation and engagement in reading. By providing personalized attention and support, tutors can help students find reading materials that are interesting and engaging to them, which can make a significant difference in their willingness to read. Additionally, tutors can help students set achievable reading goals and track their progress, which can provide a sense of accomplishment and enthusiasm to continue reading.

Reading Specialists to the Rescue

Tutors provide a range of support and assistance to help their students improve their reading skills:

Why Choose Evoke Learning?

Evoke’s summer reading program is designed to help students in both French immersion and the English stream maintain and improve their skills and build their confidence as readers, as well as prepare them to transition to the next grade. We offer:

Individualized support: Our summer reading program is tailored to each student's individual needs and offer lots of opportunity for learning and practice. This allows for targeted instruction that can help students overcome specific reading challenges and make progress in their reading skills. One-to-one instruction also offers privacy for those students who may feel embarrassed about their deficits.

Experienced reading specialists: Our reading program is led by experienced practitioners who have expertise in working with struggling readers. They provide high-quality instruction and support to help students succeed.

Evidence-based approach: We follow research-based practices for improving reading skills, including phonics instruction, comprehension strategies, and fluency-building exercises. This ensures that students receive instruction that is proven to be effective.

Flexible scheduling: We offer a variety of scheduling options, which allows students to participate in the program at a time that works best for them. This can be particularly beneficial for students with busy schedules, who are spending time at the cottage, or who live in different time zones.

Online delivery: Our programs are delivered remotely, which means that students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This is convenient for students who are traveling. 

The goals of our summer reading program are:

Are you curious about our methods and outcomes? Contact us for a free consultation and learn more about how our reading program can help your child experience success this summer.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people globally. It is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can interfere with daily activities, especially in academic and professional settings. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with executive functioning.

What are the executive functions?

The executive functions are the set of high-level cognitive skills that help individuals self-monitor, plan, organize, initiate, adapt their thinking, regulate emotions, maintain focus, and complete tasks. They are processed in the part of your brain called the prefrontal cortex. Weak executive functioning can make it difficult for students to carry out assignments and responsibilities effectively, leading to a range of challenges that affect their academic performance, social relationships, and daily lives. Students who have executive functioning challenges experience a high level of distractibility and forgetfulness, have difficulty holding information in their working memory, have trouble demonstrating knowledge and ability in testing situations, and show an inability to sustain effort and regulate alertness.

A common challenge faced by students with executive functioning issues is difficulty with time management. These students may struggle to plan and prioritize their tasks, leading to missed deadlines, incomplete work, and poor academic performance. They may also have trouble estimating how long a task will take, leading to last-minute work and increased stress. Project initiation can also be difficult, and they may struggle to get started on tasks or projects, leading to procrastination and incomplete work. They may also need help breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, which can slow their progress on larger assignments.

In addition to time management and project initiation issues, students with weak executive functioning frequently lack organizational abilities. They may have problems keeping track of their assignments, notes, and materials, leading to lost or misplaced items. They may also have difficulty scheduling and prioritizing their work, leading to disorganization and confusion.

When it comes to social relationships, students with executive functioning deficits may struggle with social skills such as initiating conversations, reading social cues, and regulating their emotions. They may also have difficulty with self-control, leading to impulsive behavior and poor decision-making.

How ADHD coaching can help

These may seem like insurmountable obstacles but there are interventions that can make life easier for students with poor executive functioning, including ADHD coaching,

a collaborative and supportive process where a trained life coach helps clients develop strategies to manage their symptoms and improve their performance. The coach helps the client set goals, create action plans, and develop self-awareness to better manage their deficits. Effective coaches employ open-ended questions to elicit unique, individual patterns of responses and, through this process, engage students in self-regulatory behaviour to initiate change in their own lives.

Research indicates that ADHD coaching is highly effective in improving executive functioning skills and reducing symptoms of ADHD. A study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders found that ADHD coaching led to significant improvements in executive functioning skills, including time management, organization, and planning (Daley, et al., 2018). Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology found that coaching was effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD in children (Langberg, et al., 2018), and found that those who received coaching showed significant improvements in academic performance and social skills compared to those who did not.

Coaching can help clients with ADHD identify time-wasting activities, prioritize tasks, and create a schedule to manage their time more effectively. By learning how to manage their time efficiently, individuals with ADHD can become more productive and successful in their academic and professional lives.

ADHD coaching also helps with project initiation and planning. People with ADHD often have difficulty starting tasks or projects, leading to unfinished assignments and missed deadlines. Coaches can show clients how to break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, schedule them appropriately, and create a plan of action to get started. This can lead to improved productivity and a sense of accomplishment.

Procrastination is another common challenge for people with ADHD. Coaching can help clients identify the reasons behind their procrastination—the brain’s way of coping with an anticipated unpleasant experience—and develop strategies to overcome it. By addressing the root causes of procrastination, individuals with ADHD can learn to manage their time better and reduce stress.

Self-awareness is an additional key benefit of ADHD coaching. Coaches help clients identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to manage their symptoms. By becoming more self-aware, individuals with ADHD can better understand their challenges and develop effective coping strategies.

Russell A. Barkley, a recognized expert in ADHD, notes that "coaching is the most effective approach we have for managing ADHD that is non-medical in nature" (Barkley, 2012). The psychologist Thomas E. Brown has also spoken about the importance of coaching, calling it “a powerful tool to help people with ADHD develop self-awareness and effective strategies for managing their symptoms" (Brown, 2013).

The benefits of ADHD coaching go beyond just improving executive functioning skills. Coaching can also help individuals with ADHD develop stronger self-esteem and a more positive appreciation for themselves and their abilities. By working with a coach who understands their struggles, people with ADHD can feel more empowered and motivated to reach their goals, leading to greater personal satisfaction and an improved quality of life.

Family and school psychologist and author Ken Shore writes that “a student's self-esteem has a significant impact on almost everything she does—on the way she engages in activities, deals with challenges, and interacts with others. Self-esteem also can have a marked effect on academic performance. Low self-esteem can lessen a student’s desire to learn, her ability to focus, and her willingness to take risks. Positive self-esteem, on the other hand, is one of the building blocks of school success; it provides a firm foundation for learning.”

At Evoke Learning, our coaches understand the biological underpinnings of ADHD, the core symptoms, and their comorbidity with executive dysfunction. ADHD/executive function coaching addresses the academic, emotional, and interpersonal difficulties resulting from these symptoms and helps students find ways to overcome them. Through individualized support, coaches help students concentrate on where they are now, where they want to be, and how to get there. Students can better realize their goals with a strong plan and regular check-ins to extend accountability.

Students who engage in coaching develop enhanced executive functioning and self-determination skills; engage in more positive thoughts and behaviours; take greater responsibility for their actions; use goal-attainment skills to manage stress more effectively; improve study skills and learning strategies; experience increased self-awareness, self-esteem, and satisfaction with school and work; and are more likely to persist in postsecondary education and have significantly better retention and graduation rates than those who did not receive coaching.

Learn a new set of skills this summer

Summer is a particularly good time to focus on ADHD coaching. There is no homework to juggle, and plenty of time to focus on strategies that will enhance executive functioning skills, promote more positive thoughts and behaviours, and discover new approaches to learning.

Students can:

Coaching gives students an opportunity to understand their ADHD better: how their symptoms play out in their daily, personal, and academic lives and how ADHD gets in the way of their learning.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with ADHD or executive functioning deficits and would like to make a change, contact us to learn more about our coaching services and how personalized guidance and a supportive learning environment can lead to growth and success.