What is High-impact tutoring?

Schools across the country, especially those serving multilingual learners, are asking the same question: what is high-impact tutoring, and how can tutoring designed with bilingual support accelerate learning recovery even in schools without formal bilingual programs? These aren’t just buzzwords — they’re urgent priorities for districts determined to close gaps and give every student a fair shot at success.

Parents see the need at home. A child hesitates when reading aloud, stumbling over words that should feel natural by third grade. Math homework ends in tears because the confidence they once had has slipped away. Teachers see it too — the furrowed brows, the dropped shoulders, the determination of students who are trying but still feel behind.

And the truth is, thousands of students are behind.

In Indiana alone, only about 30% of students passed both English language arts and math on the state ILEARN test in 2025. While reading proficiency hovering around 40%, math rose slightly to 42% (Indiana Capital Chronicle, 2025). In Arkansas, students are still almost half a grade level behind in both subjects, compared to 2019 statewide assessment results (Education Recovery Scorecard, 2023). And in Kansas, nearly every district reports that reading levels remain below pre-pandemic benchmarks, with students performing more than half of a grade level behind in literacy (Education Recovery Scorecard, 2023).

 But these aren’t just numbers. They’re classrooms full of children with dreams, and educators working tirelessly to help them. They’re parents worrying about whether their child will be ready for high school, for college, for the future.

Learning gaps won’t close on their own. High-impact tutoring is helping, but multilingual learners require something more: bilingual instruction built into the model itself.

At Bilingual Bridges, we deliver both in one model: virtual high-impact bilingual tutoring. Our comprehensive model gives students the one-on-one attention they need, reassures parents that growth is possible, and supports teachers with a trusted partner that will do the heavy lifting of learning recovery. Most importantly, multilingual learners don’t just catch up — they thrive, in every language they speak.

What is High-Impact Tutoring?

At its core, it’s an evidence-based approach — rigorously defined by Stanford’s National Student Support Accelerator — that accelerates learning by embedding intensive, personalized instruction into the school day. Done right, it isn’t just “extra help.” It’s a structured model with specific components: frequent sessions (at least three times per week), very small groups or one-on-one support, evidence-aligned curriculum, trained tutors, continuous progress monitoring, and close coordination with schools and families. When all of these pieces come together, students not only catch up — they can leap ahead in reading and math.

But in practice, it looks like this:
A fifth grader who once dreaded math and reading now meets with the same tutor three times a week. Instead of worksheets that confuse her or texts that feel out of reach, she works through problems and passages step by step, with a teacher who knows her strengths, her struggles, and even what motivates her. Over time, the jumble of numbers starts to make sense, and words that once felt impossible to decode begin to flow more smoothly. Slowly, both math and reading stop being sources of stress — and start becoming skills she can actually own.

That’s the power of effective instructional strategies delivered consistently, strategically, and with care.

At Bilingual Bridges, we follow Stanford’s model to the letter — and then take it further. Our tutors are trained in the Science of Reading, bringing structured, data-driven literacy instruction to struggling readers. In math, we use Eureka Math², a curriculum designed to build deep conceptual understanding. That means students don’t just memorize steps — they develop true number sense and the confidence to solve problems independently.

And here’s where we add our innovation: AI-driven assessment tools that cut through the noise. No guesswork. No wasted time. Just a clear, accurate picture of where each student stands. That clarity allows us to close gaps with precision and accelerate student growth. For parents, it’s reassurance that nothing is overlooked. For schools, it’s data that actually drives decisions. For students, it’s progress they can both feel and measure.

The results speak for themselves. Studies show that well-designed high-impact tutoring can accelerate learning by three to fifteen months in a single year (NSSA, 2021). It even motivates students to show up: in Washington, D.C., students who received consistent tutoring were present about 5.2 more days of school than their peers (OSSE, 2023). Most importantly, these gains are strongest for the students who need it most — multilingual learners, students from underserved communities, and those who’ve struggled the longest.

That’s what high-impact tutoring really means at Bilingual Bridges: not just a definition, but a transformation.

Why Schools Choose Bilingual Bridges

For multilingual learners, tutoring can’t just be about academics — it has to be about language too. A student who struggles in math might not be lost on the concept itself; they might just need support understanding the language of the problem. That’s why schools across Indiana, Arkansas, Kansas, and beyond choose Bilingual Bridges: because we meet students where they are, in every language they speak.

Here’s what that impact looks like in action:

• Reading: Our reading programs are grounded in the Science of Reading. In one-on-one and small-group sessions, students build decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills with certified bilingual educators. The goal isn’t just catching up to grade level, but building reading fluency and confidence, in two languages at once.
• Math: Using Eureka Math Squared, tutors focus on evidence-based strategies that make numbers meaningful. Just as importantly, our educators ensure students understand not only the math concepts, but also the language behind each problem. Lessons combine academic rigor with real-world application and language support — so multilingual learners don’t just “get through math,” they begin to own it with confidence.
• ESL for Newcomers: For grades K–12, we help newcomer students find their footing in school and community life. Sessions focus on functional language, academic vocabulary, and oral fluency; bridging classroom learning with real-world communication. Students not only access grade-level content but also build the confidence to thrive in a new language environment.

And the results speak for themselves. In the 2024–25 school year, students in Bilingual Bridges’ high-impact tutoring programs grew 4.1x faster in reading and 2.8x faster in math compared to their non-Bilingual Bridges peers. These aren’t just gains — they’re proof of what’s possible when multilingual learners receive support that’s personalized, culturally responsive, and academically rigorous.

For parents, it means their children finally feel confident opening a book or solving a problem. For teachers, it means classrooms where students can fully participate. And for schools, it means progress that’s measurable, sustainable, and transformative.

The Future of Tutoring: Smarter Tools, Stronger Connections

High-impact tutoring isn’t standing still — and neither are we. At Bilingual Bridges, we’re combining the best of human expertise with smart technology to make sure every student gets exactly what they need.

Yes, we’re moving with technology. Yes, we’re embracing tools like AI-driven assessments that help us identify, understand, and close gaps faster than ever. But here’s what makes our model different: the human connection never gets lost.

Our tutors don’t just deliver lessons — they build trust. They notice when a student lights up after finally nailing a tough problem, and they catch the quiet moments when a child needs encouragement to keep going. Every session is a mix of academic rigor and personal care.

That’s the part technology can’t replace. AI can show us where the gaps are, but it’s the human connection that inspires students to believe they can close them. For multilingual learners especially, progress depends on more than data — it depends on a teacher who honors their language, their identity, and their story.

That’s why schools choose Bilingual Bridges: because we use the smartest tools available, but never forget that what truly changes outcomes is the bond between teacher and student.

Building Bridges That Last

When schools ask, what is high-impact tutoring, and how can strong bilingual programs work alongside it to accelerate learning recovery? the answer is clear: it’s about evidence-based strategies, measurable growth, and support that meets learners where they are – in whichever languages they speak.

Ready to bring virtual high-impact tutoring to your school community? Let’s build those bridges together. Contact us today