Students who struggle with phonics, decoding, or fluency often see significant gains with Susan Barton instruction, as do students with dyslexia or reading-related learning differences. The system also works well for students who need a more structured, explicit approach than traditional classroom instruction provides. In Sacramento's diverse school environment across 27 school districts, personalized Susan Barton tutoring can fill gaps when classroom instruction moves at a different pace than a student needs.

Personalized 1-on-1 Susan Barton instruction allows tutors to move at your student's pace, spend extra time on challenging concepts, and provide immediate feedback—something difficult to achieve in classrooms with average student-teacher ratios like Sacramento's 22.5:1. Tutors can also customize lessons to target your student's specific gaps, whether that's letter-sound correspondence, blending, or sight word recognition, rather than following a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

During an initial session, a tutor will assess your student's current reading level, identify specific strengths and areas for improvement, and explain how the Susan Barton approach works. This diagnostic foundation helps the tutor create a personalized learning plan and set realistic goals. You'll also have a chance to discuss your student's challenges and what outcomes matter most to your family.

Many students begin showing measurable progress in decoding and fluency within 4-8 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction, though timelines vary based on starting level and frequency of sessions. Stronger foundational skills like phonemic awareness and letter-sound knowledge often develop faster, while fluency and comprehension may take longer to solidify. Regular practice between sessions accelerates progress significantly.

Yes—tutors can work with your student's current grade-level reading materials and school assignments while using Susan Barton's structured approach to fill foundational gaps. This means your student benefits from explicit, systematic instruction while staying connected to classroom expectations. Tutors can also coordinate with teachers to ensure tutoring complements what's happening in school.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors trained in the Susan Barton Reading System who understand how to deliver personalized instruction effectively. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss their experience with the Susan Barton approach, their track record with students facing similar challenges, and how they customize lessons for individual learners. This ensures your student gets instruction from someone who knows both the system and how to adapt it to your student's needs.

Tutoring costs vary based on factors like tutor experience, session frequency, and how many hours your student needs, but personalized reading instruction is an investment in a foundational skill that affects all academic success. Many families find that targeted Susan Barton tutoring—even a few sessions per week—pays dividends in improved reading confidence, better academic performance, and reduced frustration. We recommend discussing your budget and goals when connecting with a tutor to find an arrangement that works for your family.