Unfinished Learning in the Wake of COVID-19 is Most Pronounced and Troubling in Math

Evoke Learning Math Remediation and Tutoring Programs

In September 2023, Ontario released the results of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) provincial tests. Math results remained low, according to data released by the EQAO. Only 60% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard for math, up by only 1% from the year before (59%). Half of Grade 6 students met the provincial standard in math, and 54% of Grade 9 students met the provincial math standard. Ontario math scores saw little improvement in 2023. This trend is also reflected on international student assessments (PISA) where Canadian high school student scores in math have been falling over time. 

As a result of the pandemic shutdowns, most students in Ontario suffered academic and social development setbacks. The most serious gaps were exposed in support for neurodiverse students (Gallagher-Mackay et al. 2021). Many students still require support to recover from the academic toll of COVID-19, the most significant disruption to K–12 education in history. Addressing the issue of learning disparities and associated psychosocial challenges requires proactive evidence-based intervention and it cannot be left to resolve on its own. 

Why Do Students Struggle in Math?

Students who find math difficult struggle for different reasons. Some may lack confidence, have trouble focusing or staying on task, lack understanding about correct strategies, or are affected by other factors such as reading difficulties or language impairments. Others may have deficits in cognitive processing skills that influence math ability, such as processing speed or working memory, which can make it difficult to process and retrieve information effectively. Students require a solid foundation of math knowledge on which to build higher-level understanding.

Math skills increase in complexity over the school-age years and are cumulative. For example, if a student skips fractions, they will have a difficult time in high school when they begin to learn algebra, which is grounded in fractions. Higher-level math frequently requires fundamental knowledge about underlying concepts that are necessary for success in sequential courses. The math trajectory includes some grades that are more critical than others. For example, in the years leading up to Grade 8, students transition from arithmetic into algebra.

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, our math tutoring program helps students who are behind in math by giving them extra time to learn and address their learning challenges. This helps bridge the gap and ensures that they don’t fall further behind.

Tutoring Is the Best Intervention

Of all academic interventions, tutoring has been shown to help students gain academic ground the most rapidly. A recent meta-analysis reviewed studies of tutoring interventions that have been evaluated by randomized controlled trials in the past few decades and found that, on average, tutoring increased achievement by an additional three to 15 months of learning across grade levels. Tutoring also offers significant spillover effects, including greater school engagement and higher grades in other courses.

Current research has also shown that the most effective tutoring interventions involve three or more sessions per week with sessions that last for about 30-60 minutes. This type of tutoring is referred to as high dosage. Studies have found little evidence that once-a-week tutoring is sufficient to generate meaningful gains. A recent meta-analysis found that high-dosage tutoring was 20 times more effective than low-dosage tutoring in math.

Following Research-Informed Principles for Effective Tutoring

Rigorous research provides strong evidence that high-dosage math tutoring can produce robust learning gains for students, including those who have fallen behind academically. This type of math tutoring is an excellent strategy for addressing Covid-19 learning loss and accelerating a student’s progress.

The most successful approaches to closing learning gaps and improving math proficiency require explicit instruction and intense and targeted intervention. Evoke’s tutors build foundational skills while making connections to the content students are learning in class. Their instruction is supplemental and focused on acceleration, not remediation. Sessions are held a minimum of three times per week for a minimum of 10 weeks and during this time, student data is used consistently to understand their strengths and challenges and to build sessions that focus on the student’s needs.

The Math Diagnostic

Evoke’s math tutoring program begins with a diagnostic assessment that allows 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 that they may effectively and efficiently develop a student’s skills and build fluency. The information from the math diagnostic monitors the progress made from the intervention program so that instruction is strategic and adjusted as necessary.

The Case for Online Math Tutoring

Current studies have found that interactive online math tutoring results in learning and achievement benefits for underperforming students (Beal, Walles, Arroyo, & Woolf, 2007; Chappell, Nunnery, Pribesh, & Hager, 2011; Nguyen & Kulm, 2005). Tutoring online allows for more than just instructional support. Evoke’s online math tutors can connect with students from busy families, those living in isolated areas that do not have access to local tutoring support, and students who prefer the privacy of online math tutoring. In fact, a meta-analysis of out-of-school-time math tutoring indicated that organizations offering online math tutoring were more effective than those providing only face-to face services (Chappell et al., 2011). A study by Beal et al. (2007) revealed that students showed significant improvement on math problems after receiving online interactive math tutoring. These findings suggest that students benefit from consistent, online, real-time math tutoring (Nguyen & Kulm, 2005). In fact, studies also show that students struggling with math achievement benefit the most from online math tutoring (Maloy, Razzaq, & Edwards, 2014; Beal et al, 2007).

A March 2023 study conducted by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University highlighted that virtual learning offers the potential to provide stronger matches between student needs and tutor skill sets by expanding the potential supply of tutors, and that online intensive tutoring programs improve academic outcomes, effort, and the aspirations of participating students. These students also benefited from significantly increased standardized test scores and end-of-year math grades. In terms of non-academic outcomes, online academic math tutoring interventions also contribute to improved student self-reported effort and aspirations. The study highlighted that online math tutoring programs can be provided to any student with an internet connection, including those in remote places where traditional tutoring programs are harder to deliver. A finding from the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance at Concordia University highlights that there is “no empirical evidence that says that classroom instruction benefits students (compared to alternatives) from a learning achievement perspective.”

Who Are Evoke’s Online Math Tutors?

Evoke’s online math tutors are well-qualified and well-trained teachers and paraprofessionals who have completed pure math programs at the university level and have experience working with neurodiverse learners. Some of them have completed postgraduate degrees and are very knowledgeable about math content and provincial math curricula. This allows them to teach using a variety of explanations and representations to develop mathematical understanding. Our online math tutors are skilled at relationship-building and understand when and how to press students, which resources to use, and how to employ strategic questioning in lieu of providing answers. At Evoke we understand how important it is to cultivate positive relationships with our learners. Ensuring that our students have a consistent tutor over time facilitates productive student-tutor relationships and a stronger understanding of the student’s learning needs. When students have a positive, caring relationship with their tutor they become more motivated and develop a more favourable mindset towards school. Evoke pairs each student with a consistent online math tutor for the duration of their online math tutoring program so they can get to know the student’s strengths and weaknesses.

What Makes Our Online Math Tutoring Program Unique?

Evoke uses research-informed approaches and cognitive science in our programming and instruction. We believe there are barriers to learning and situations that hold individuals back, and that it is our job to understand their needs, identify those barriers, and help students address them. We believe in the science of learning, and that it takes time and requires effort and practice. Evoke’s approach to online math tutoring includes the use of effective research-informed methods for supporting and improving the performance of neurodiverse learners, such as explicit instruction when teaching specific concepts, procedures, strategies and rules, and reciprocal teaching. We consider the student’s neurobiology when creating their individualized learning plan to ensure students with reduced working memory and processing speed are supported and the student’s overall cognitive load is reduced.

Engaging Students Online

Student engagement is essential for a high-quality learning experience. The goal of Evoke’s online math tutoring program is to create a virtual tutoring environment for students that emulates a face-to-face experience and helps them achieve success. Neurodiverse learners struggle with lessons that are repetitive and long and require sustained mental effort. They are easily bored and distracted. At Evoke, our online math tutors create an engaging and interactive learning environment for students.  Concepts are explained through real-life examples and engaging and effective web tools to enhance conceptual clarity and improve retention. Lessons are chunked and our online math tutors provide active learning opportunities that hold student attention. Session length is flexible because the tutoring is online. We recommend that younger students engage in 30-minute sessions, and we offer short breaks to sustain focus, as required. Our online math tutors connect with and obtain regular feedback from their students regularly to check for understanding.

FAQs

What is “high-dosage” math tutoring?

High-dosage-or high-impact-math tutoring, is an intensive academic intervention that accelerates student learning, reduces learning gaps, and increases student outcomes. It is an evidence-based intervention for learning loss that is accessible to all learners. The goal of this type of math tutoring is to provide students with tools and instruction to help them build on their skills and knowledge to tackle new learning. Rigorous studies praise the impact of high dosage math tutoring learning on student outcomes. The University of Chicago Education Lab released a study that demonstrated that high-dosage math tutoring can double or triple the amount of math students learn each year, increase student grades, and reduce math and non math course failures.

What’s the difference between high-dosage math tutoring and traditional math tutoring?

Unlike traditional math tutoring, which may happen weekly for an hour or two, high dosage math tutoring helps students recover from learning loss through targeted, structured, data-driven, intensive, and frequent math tutoring sessions that occur a minimum of three times a week for at least 30 minutes. High-dosage math tutoring is meant to provide more regular, intensive personal instruction that is aligned with the student’s grade curriculum and focused on their learning gaps. Studies show little evidence that once-a-week math tutoring is sufficient to generate meaningful gains. A recent meta-analysis found that high-dosage math tutoring was 20 times more effective than traditional math tutoring. With high-dosage math tutoring, student learning gains persist and were found to have spillover effects across other subjects.

How frequent are the math tutoring sessions?

Current research has also shown that the most effective math tutoring interventions involve three or more sessions per week with sessions that last for a minimum of 30 minutes, and up to 60 minutes. This allows for enough time to focus on missed learning while staying aligned with classroom instruction. Stanford University's National Student Support Accelerator program defines high-dosage math tutoring as "math tutoring that is delivered three or more times a week."

How long is each math tutoring session?

Research recommends a minimum of math tutoring in 30-minute sessions, three times a week. Students may also engage in 45- and 60-minute sessions and more frequently. Students in high-dosage math tutoring learn two and a half times as much as they would in traditional math tutoring programs. This allows for enough time to respond to the student’s individual needs and to complement their existing curriculum.

Who are the math tutors?

Evoke's math tutors are well-qualified and well-trained teachers and paraprofessionals who have completed pure math programs at the university level and have experience working with neurodiverse learners. Some of them have completed postgraduate degrees and are very knowledgeable about math content and provincial math curricula. This allows them to teach using a variety of explanations and representations to develop mathematical understanding. Evoke's math tutors use high-quality instructional materials, and are engaging, reliable and consistent. Evoke's math tutors are skilled at relationship-building and understand when and how to press students, which resources to use, and how to employ strategic questioning in lieu of providing answers. At Evoke we understand how important it is to cultivate positive relationships with our learners. Ensuring that our students have a consistent tutor over time facilitates productive student-tutor relationships and a stronger understanding of the student's learning needs. When students have a positive, caring relationship with their tutor they become more motivated and develop a more favourable mindset towards school. Evoke pairs each student with a consistent tutor for the duration of their math tutoring program so they can get to know the student's strengths and weaknesses.

What grade levels and math topics do you cover?

Evoke offers math tutoring for students in Grades 4 through 12. Our math tutors have a deep understanding of the Ontario math curriculum and can also provide support to students engaging in International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs.

How is progress measured in the math tutoring program?

Evoke's high-dosage math 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 from the math diagnostic monitors the progress made from the intervention program so that instruction is strategic and adjusted as necessary.

How do you customize the math tutoring to fit the student’s needs?

Intervention is based on the results of the student's math diagnostic assessment. In addition, Evoke's math tutors conduct routine assessments and use these results to individualize instruction.

Is online math tutoring as effective as in-person math tutoring?

Yes, recent research and studies have consistently shown that online tutoring, particularly in math, can be highly effective. For instance, interactive online math tutoring has demonstrated positive learning and achievement outcomes, especially for underperforming students (Beal, Walles, Arroyo, & Woolf, 2007; Chappell, Nunnery, Pribesh, & Hager, 2011; Nguyen & Kulm, 2005).

Evoke's online math tutoring platform not only offers instructional support but is also particularly advantageous for students from busy families, those in isolated regions without access to local math tutoring, and those who value the privacy offered by online sessions. A meta-analysis by Chappell et al. (2011) even indicated that organizations providing online math tutoring were more effective than those solely offering in-person services.
Moreover, studies like those by Beal et al. (2007) have revealed significant improvements in students tackling math problems after receiving online interactive math tutoring. Intriguingly, it appears students grappling with math achievement benefit the most from online sessions (Maloy, Razzaq, & Edwards, 2014; Beal et al, 2007).

A 2023 study from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University elucidated the potential of virtual learning. It highlighted that online math tutoring can more precisely match student needs with tutor expertise. The outcomes? Enhanced academic performance, augmented effort, and elevated aspirations for students participating in online math tutoring programs. These students also witnessed notable advancements in standardized test scores and end-of year math grades.

The Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance at Concordia University posited that there is no empirical evidence suggesting that traditional classroom instruction offers any more benefit in terms of learning achievement when compared to its alternatives, such as online math tutoring.

What materials and resources will the student need for math tutoring?

Virtual sessions require the following:

  • A computer or tablet,
  • The ability to share the student's screen,
  • A webcam,
  • A headset or earbuds,
  • A strong internet connection,
  • A quiet space with limited distractions where the student is best able to focus without the fear of being overheard or interrupted, and
  • The absence of anyone coming in or out of the quiet space.

Students will need access to their class notes, test dates, and assignment outlines and be prepared to share their screen to review their school's learning platform with their tutor.

How do I schedule math tutoring sessions?

Evoke services are by appointment only and scheduled directly with the student's practitioner. Students are asked to commit to the specified number of hours per month. We operate 7 days a week-early morning, during school hours, after school, evenings, and on weekends. All of our math tutoring programming begins with a math diagnostic.

What if the student needs to cancel or reschedule a math tutoring session?

Evoke requires 48 (business) hours' notice to reschedule a session to an alternative date and time and four hours' notice in an emergency or the event of sudden illness. A total of one week of program services may be rescheduled and banked for future use as part of the program.

Is there a minimum commitment period for math tutoring?

Sessions are held a minimum of three times per week, for 30 minutes, for a minimum of 10 weeks. Based on high-dosage math tutoring research, it is recommended that students attend sessions for a minimum of a semester and preferable a full academic school year if they are significantly behind. During this time, student data is used consistently by their math tutor to understand their strengths and challenges and to build sessions that focus on the student's needs.

Can parents/guardians get updates on their child’s progress in math tutoring?

Absolutely. We provide regular monthly progress reports and encourage open communication between tutors, students, and parents/guardians.

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Evoke has been absolutely essential to the academic success of all three of our children. Evoke’s skilled staff and tutors were able to assess and remediate gaps and challenges that... read more

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I worked with Richard at Evoke over several months and he was immensely helpful. Besides being professional and effective, Richard was very compassionate and empathetic. During my time working with... read more

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Great coaching services for students with ADHD and/or executive function deficits. Denise is organized, structured and holds her clients accountable for their 'homework'. I highly recommend Evoke to parents who... read more

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