Research Database

This tool allows education practitioners and researchers to quickly access quantitative research on tutoring program effectiveness. These 150+ research studies were selected due to their rigorous research designs which align with What Works Clearinghouse and Every Student Succeeds Act standards for moderate and strong evidence of intervention efficacy. Many studies were originally identified by their inclusion in recent meta-analyses (Baye et al., 2018; Neitzel et al., 2021; Nickow et al., 2020). Research may be sorted by grade level, subject, and tutor type in order to explore the evidence base for particular program designs. This database does not include qualitative research on best practices for tutoring implementation, for which we recommend exploring our District Playbook and Toolkit for Tutoring Programs.

If you have additional research studies (quantitative or qualitative) that you would like to share, please fill out this form or send an email to info@studentsupportaccelerator.org

Displaying 1 - 30 of 35
Efficacy of a Word- and Text-Based Intervention for Students With Significant Reading Difficulties. (2019). Vaughn, S., Roberts, G. J., Miciak, J., Taylor, P., & Fletcher, J. M.. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 52(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219418775113

A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Descubriendo la Lectura. (2019). Borman, G. D., Borman, T. H., Park, S. J., & Houghton, S.. American Educational Research Journal. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0002831219890612

Evaluation of a math intervention program implemented with community support. (2019). Parker, D. C., Nelson, P. M., Zaslofsky, A. F., Kanive, R., Foegen, A., Kaiser, P., & Heisted, D.. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 12(3), 391–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/19345747.2019.1571653

Examining the Effects and Feasibility of a Teacher-Implemented Tier 1 and Tier 2 Intervention in Word Reading, Fluency, and Comprehension. (2018). Solari, E. J., Denton, C. A., Petscher, Y., & Haring, C.. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 11(2), 163–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/19345747.2017.1375582

Reading Recovery: An Evaluation of the Four-Year i3 Scale-Up. (2016). May, H., Sirinides, P. M., Gray, A., & Goldsworthy, H.. CPRE Research Reports. https://repository.upenn.edu/cpre_researchreports/81/

Intervention for first graders with limited number knowledge: Large-scale replication of a randomized controlled trial. (2015). Gersten, R., Rolfhus, E., Clarke, B., Decker, L. E., Wilkins, C., & Dimino, J. (2015). American Educational Research Journal, 52(3), 516–546. https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831214565787

Live webcam coaching to help early elementary classroom teachers provide effective literacy instruction for struggling readers: The Targeted Reading Intervention. (2013). Vernon-Feagans, L., Kainz, K., Hedrick, A., Ginsberg, M., & Amendum, S.. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(4), 1175–1187. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032143

Every Child Counts: Testing policy effectiveness using a randomised controlled trial, designed, conducted and reported to CONSORT standards. (2013). Torgerson, C. J., Wiggins, A., Torgerson, D., Ainsworth, H., & Hewitt, C. . doi:10.1080/14794802.2013.797746. doi:10.1080/14794802.2013.797746

Evaluating math recovery: Assessing the causal impact of a diagnostic tutoring program on student achievement. (2013). Smith, T. M., Cobb, P., Farran, D. C., Cordray, D. S., & Munter, C. . American Educational Research Journal, 50(2), 397–428. https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831212469045

Efficacy of the Leveled Literacyeracy Intervention System for K–2 urban students: An empirical evaluation of LLI in Denver Public Schools. (2013). Ransford-Kaldon, C. R., Ross, C. L., Lee, C. C., Sutton Flynt, E., Franceschini, L. A., & Zoblotsky, T. A.. Memphis, TN: Center for Research in Educational Policy.. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Study/85470

The effectiveness of a technologically facilitated classroom-based early reading intervention. (2011). Amendum, S. J., Vernon-Feagans, L., & Ginsberg, M. C.. The Elementary School Journal, 112(1), 107–131. https://doi.org/10.1086/660684

Effectiveness of a supplemental early reading intervention scaled up in multiple schools. (2010). Denton, C. A., Nimon, K., Mathes, P. G., Swanson, E. A., Kethley, C., Kurz, T. B., & Shih, M.. The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. https://www.meadowscenter.org/library/resource/effectiveness-of-a-supplemental-…

Implementation of effective intervention: An empirical study to evaluate the efficacy of fountas & pinnell’s leveled literacy intervention system . (2010). Ransford-Kaldon, C. R., Flynt, E. S., Ross, C. L., Franceschini, L., Zoblotsky, T., Huang, Y., & Gallagher, B.. Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED544374

Computer assisted instruction to prevent early reading difficulties in students at risk for dyslexia: Outcomes from two instructional approaches. (2009). Torgesen, J. K., Wagner, R. K., Rashotte, C. A., Herron, J., & Lindamood, P. . Annals of Dyslexia, 60(1), 40–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11881-009-0032-y

Closing the reading gap: Findings from a randomized trial of four reading interventions for striving readers. (2007). Torgesen, J. K., Schirm, A., Castner, L., Vartivarian, S., Mansfield, W., Myers, D., … Haan, C. . Washington, D.C.: US Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pdf/20084013.pdf

Severe Reading Difficulties--Can They Be Prevented? A Comparison of Prevention and Intervention Approaches. (2005). Scanlon, D. M., Vellutino, F. R., Small, S. G., Fanuele, D. P., & Sweeney, J. M.. Exceptionality, 13(4), 209–227. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327035ex1304_3

The effects of theoretically different instruction and student characteristics on the skills of struggling readers. (2005). Mathes, P. G., Denton, C. A., Fletcher, J. M., Anthony, J. L., Francis, D. J., & Schatschneider, C.. Reading Research Quarterly. https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Simmons/Research/IEBE/16848730---Scale-Up-RRQ…

The Efficacy of an Early Literacyeracy Tutoring Program Implemented by College Students. (2004). Allor, J., & McCathren, R.. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 19(2), 116–129. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5826.2004.00095.x

Teaching reading to poor readers in the intermediate grades: A comparison of text difficulty. (2002). O'Connor, R. E., Bell, K. M., Harty, K. R., Larkin, L. K., Sackor, S. M., & Zigmond, N.. Journal of Educational Psychology. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-18006-003

Early Steps: Replicating the effects of a first-grade reading intervention program. (2000). Morris, D., Tyner, B., & Perney, J.. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(4), 681–693. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.92.4.681

Longitudinal Study of the Reading Recovery Program. (1999). Huggins, R.. Detroit, MI: Detroit Public Schools Retried April 8, 2021 from Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED430067.pdf

Prevention and remediation of severe reading disabilities: Keeping the end in mind. (1997). Torgesen, J. K., Wagner, R. K., & Rashotte, C. A.. Scientific Studies of Reading, 1(3), 217–234. https://doi.org/10.1207/s1532799xssr0103_3

An evaluation of reading recovery. (1995). Center, Y., Wheldall, K., Freeman, L., Outhred, L., & McNaught, M.. Reading Research Quarterly. https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/publications/an-evaluation-of-reading-recovery