The Center for Education Market Dynamics • June 14, 2023

Key Decision Point

Should we develop our district’s tutoring program internally, partner with external providers, or take a hybrid approach?

Keep in Mind

When determining if and what to partner for externally, your district does not need to take an all-or-nothing approach. While some districts opt to take a mostly internal approach (see: Lenoir City Schools Case Study), and others prefer to contract with external partners (see: Chicago Public Schools Case Study), many districts take a hybrid approach. In doing so, they partner externally for one or more components that would be most challenging or resource-intensive to handle internally (e.g. tutor recruitment), while handling other components within the district (e.g. program management, instructional materials, tutor training).

If you’re thinking about implementing a new program or expanding your existing tutoring efforts, consider this decision tree to determine if, and what, to contract externally:

Citation: NSSA (High-Impact Tutoring: District Playbook Workbook)