Virtual Tutoring Boosts Reading Scores by 20 Percentile Points

Struggling readers are catching up in a big way, thanks to virtual tutoring that connects them with real teachers through their screens.

A major new study tracked more than 2,000 upper elementary students in New Jersey who started the school year reading below grade level. Half received virtual tutoring from Edmentum's Targeted Skills Instruction program, while the other half continued with regular classroom support only.

The results were striking. Students who worked with virtual tutors improved their state test rankings by an average of 20 percentile points by the end of the year. They were also 2.5 times more likely than their peers to meet grade-level expectations on English language arts assessments.

The difference showed up clearly in performance levels too. Tutored students scored near the top of the state's Level 2 category, while their peers without tutoring scored at the bottom of the same level. That's nearly a full performance level of improvement.

What makes this study special is its gold-standard design. Third-party researchers validated that it meets ESSA Tier 1 standards, the strongest possible evidence that an intervention directly causes improvements. The students compared were statistically similar at the start, meaning the tutoring itself made the difference.

Virtual tutoring solves a problem that has frustrated schools for years. Research shows tutoring is one of the most effective ways to help students catch up, but in-person tutoring is expensive and hard to scale. Many districts can't afford to hire enough qualified tutors, and even when they can, finding certified teachers is increasingly difficult.

The program connects small groups of students with certified, experienced teachers during the school day. Because it's virtual, districts can provide consistent, high-quality tutoring without worrying about local hiring constraints or budget limits. The tutors follow research-backed methods designed specifically for students who need extra support.

The Ripple Effect

When struggling readers catch up, the benefits extend far beyond test scores. Reading proficiency in elementary school predicts nearly every academic outcome that follows. Students who can read at grade level are more likely to graduate high school, pursue higher education, and access better career opportunities.

Virtual tutoring also democratizes access to support that wealthy families have always been able to buy privately. Now students in any district, regardless of local resources, can connect with expert teachers who help them build the skills they need. The scalability means schools can reach every student who needs help, not just a lucky few.

The study comes at a crucial time, as schools continue working to address learning gaps that widened during the pandemic. Having proven solutions that work at scale gives educators powerful tools to ensure no student falls permanently behind.

Districts across all 50 states now have evidence that virtual tutoring isn't just convenient, it genuinely works.