The Illinois Tutoring Initiative (ITI), a transformative program aimed at closing academic gaps and supporting students across Illinois, has officially come to an end. Funded by a federal grant, this state-wide tutoring program was launched in 2021 in response to the significant learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative’s primary goal was to help students regain academic progress in core subjects like math and reading, areas most impacted by the pandemic.
For three years, ITI partnered with several Illinois universities, including Northern Illinois University (NIU), Southern Illinois University (SIU), and Illinois State University (ISU), among others. These institutions played a key role in recruiting and training tutors to work in person with students in grades 3 through 8 in small groups or one-on-one sessions. Grades 9-12 were provided with online math tutoring under the ITI.
The Illinois Tutoring Initiative served hundreds of students in school districts particularly affected by the pandemic. Dr. Steve Mertens, professor of middle-level education in the School of Teaching and Learning, was hired by the ITI to evaluate the data provided by the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), conduct data analysis, and interpret the results. According to Mertens, “Based on the statewide IAR math and reading data for the fall and winter 2022 semesters and spring of 2023, 44% of students were tutored. Of those tutored, those who participated in the ITI’s high-impact tutoring had significant gains in math and reading.”
Through a data-driven approach, ITI focused on students who were identified as needing extra academic support based on assessments and teacher recommendations. Schools worked closely with the program to tailor tutoring sessions to fit students’ individual needs, ensuring that they received personalized instruction.
Several studies show that high-impact tutoring—regular tutoring sessions aligned with school curriculum—can significantly boost student achievement. The Illinois Tutoring Initiative’s structured approach demonstrated this effect, as students showed marked improvement in test scores and overall classroom performance. Dr. Christy Borders, who served as the Executive Director for ITI, shared that the project resulted in “significant increases in reading and math scores and increased confidence over time for tutoring students.” In addition, through ITI, “Schools were provided this additional support for students and had consistently positive feedback regarding the impact for their students,” said Borders.
The Illinois Tutoring Initiative offered hands-on teaching experiences for aspiring educators as well. Tutors received training in effective tutoring strategies, curriculum alignment, and progress monitoring, equipping them with valuable skills to carry forward into their teaching careers. Additionally, university faculty were able to conduct research on tutoring efficacy, contributing to the broader educational landscape.
Though the federal grant funding has ended, the success of the Illinois Tutoring Initiative has sparked conversations around the long-term benefits of structured tutoring programs in schools not only in Illinois but across the country. Some school districts are exploring ways to continue offering tutoring services through local funding or partnerships with community organizations.
“This initiative was meaningful, and the data results have demonstrated that it works. It’s hard to say why the state didn’t decide to continue funding the initiative as it certainly had an impact on improving students’ learning,” said Mertens.
Borders further commented that “ITI’s implementation success was facilitated by high-quality practices with regard to leadership and governance; data-driven decision-making; and evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement.” Although the initiative has concluded, Borders explained that due to the fidelity of its implementation, “ITI emerged as an instructive model for other states hoping to implement large-scale tutoring initiatives and helped position the state at the forefront of post-COVID academic recovery.”
While the formal end of the Illinois Tutoring Initiative marks the close of a significant chapter in the state’s educational response to the pandemic, the legacy of its impact on both students and tutors will resonate for years to come.
