The Grattan Institute recently released a comprehensive analysis of the 2022 National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) data. The results showed that despite progress made in some areas, there are still significant gaps in student performance and learning outcomes across the country. The Grattan Institute's analysis is a call to action for educators and policy makers to find new and innovative solutions to address these challenges.
One solution that has been proposed by the Grattan Institute and that has been gaining traction in recent years is personalised small-group and one-on-one tutoring. Personalised tutoring is an approach to teaching that tailors instruction to the individual needs and learning styles of each student. A personalised approach can be critical in helping address specific gaps in student performance and foundational knowledge as has been identified in the Grattan Institute's recent analysis.
Through analysis of the 2022 NAPLAN data, the Grattan Institute identified that approximately 20% of students need additional intensive learning support in addition to their classroom time in order to develop foundational skills. In particular, disadvantaged children have been shown to start school well behind their more advantaged peers and the gap more than doubles between year 3 and year 9 in foundational skills such as a reading and numeracy.
The Grattan Institute proposed that programs be put in place to ensure small-group tutoring (that is, where an educator works with up to 5 students only at any one time) is offered in schools to students to help close these gaps. While the Grattan Institute's solution proposed Government funded small-group tuition, the rationale behind the proposal supports the need for one-on-one support for those who can access it.
Closing gaps through personalised tutoring
Personalised tutoring can help resolve many of the problems identified by the Grattan Institute's analysis, including:
- Closing the achievement gap: Personalised tutoring can help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged and advantaged students by providing targeted support and addressing individual learning needs. Where an individual child may fall behind unbeknownst to the teacher in a classroom setting, a 1:1 tutor can specifically assess and address any shortfalls in a students foundational skills or understanding.
- Improving student engagement: Personalised tutoring can improve student engagement by making learning more relevant and interesting. 1:1 tutors and teachers can tailor their approach to suit the student's needs and interests. When students receive individual attention and support, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their learning.
- Addressing specific learning difficulties: Personalised tutoring can help address specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia or ADHD, by providing targeted support and adapting instruction to meet the needs of each student.
- Fostering critical thinking skills: Personalised tutoring can foster critical thinking skills by encouraging students to ask questions, think critically, and explore new ideas. This approach helps students to develop a deeper understanding of the material and become more confident in their ability to solve problems.
- Encouraging self-directed learning: Personalised tutoring can encourage self-directed learning by empowering students to take charge of their own education. Students who receive individualized support and guidance are more likely to take ownership of their learning and become more independent learners.
Over the course of a year, small group and 1:1 tuition has been shown to boost student learning outcomes by as much as four months to quickly and effectively close learning gaps. Personalised tutoring is an effective and innovative solution to address the challenges identified in the Grattan Institute's analysis of the 2022 NAPLAN data. By tailoring instruction to meet the individual needs and learning styles of each student, personalised tutoring can help close the achievement gap, improve student engagement, and foster critical thinking skills.
If you believe your child or a student you care for could benefit from personalised tutoring, you can find highly experienced and qualified NAPLAN tutors on Learnmate.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does personalised tutoring address learning disparities?
Personalised tutoring tailors learning strategies to individual needs, effectively bridging gaps in understanding and performance, as suggested by educational research.
2. Can you provide examples of successful personalised tutoring programs?
While specific examples weren't detailed, successful programs typically feature tailored instruction, continuous assessment, and adaptive learning paths.
3. How does the cost of personalised tutoring compare to traditional methods?
Personalised tutoring might involve higher initial costs due to its customised approach, but various funding options and programs can make it accessible.
