How to Tutor Students With Reading Problems

Even with excellent instruction, many children fail to make adequate progress in reading (Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998). Despite long-term, continual investigations of instructional programs, large numbers of students' failing to become fluent readers remains a critical problem in American education (cf. National Reading Panel, 2000). Even with quality instruction and an appropriate curriculum, some children still need additional assistance. Tutoring can be a significant supplement, enhancement, or even replacement for classroom reading instruction (Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998). Older students, volunteers, and parents can all serve as tutors in reading (Denton & Hasbrouck, 1999). Here we suggest some simple, effective methods that tutors can use to help beginning readers, as well as older students who may need some additional support. We also include ways to evaluate the effectiveness of the tutoring and to provide feedback to the tutor.
Tutoring in reading means providing indivi...