Students who benefit most include those with dyslexia, slow reading fluency, difficulty with phonics, or those who haven't responded well to classroom reading instruction. The system also works well for students who need explicit, step-by-step instruction to understand letter-sound relationships. Many students in Sarasota's 72 schools find that personalized Susan Barton tutoring accelerates progress when classroom instruction alone isn't sufficient.

Personalized Susan Barton instruction focuses entirely on your student's specific reading level and pace, whereas classroom instruction must accommodate 20+ students with varying abilities. A tutor can diagnose exactly where decoding breaks down, target those specific gaps, and adjust the pace based on mastery—rather than moving forward with the grade-level curriculum. This individualized approach typically produces faster, more measurable improvements in phonics, fluency, and reading confidence.

Most students begin showing noticeable improvements in phonics accuracy and decoding within 4-8 weeks of consistent instruction, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of sessions. Significant gains in fluency and comprehension typically emerge over 3-6 months of regular tutoring. Consistency is key—students who meet 2-3 times per week generally progress faster than those with less frequent sessions.

Susan Barton is specifically designed to address phonemic awareness gaps, phonics confusion, slow decoding speed, and comprehension problems that stem from weak foundational skills. Many students struggle because they've memorized sight words rather than learning to decode, or they skip over unfamiliar words instead of sounding them out. The system teaches students to approach every word systematically, building the automaticity needed for fluent, confident reading.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors trained in the Susan Barton Reading System who work with students throughout Sarasota. When you reach out, we match you with a tutor whose expertise aligns with your student's specific reading challenges and goals. Our tutors understand the structured, systematic approach Susan Barton requires and can provide the consistent, personalized instruction that produces real reading gains.

The first session typically includes an assessment of your student's current reading level, phonics knowledge, decoding ability, and any specific challenges they're experiencing. The tutor will explain how the Susan Barton approach works and outline a personalized plan based on where your student is starting. This foundation ensures that subsequent sessions target the exact skills your student needs to progress.

Susan Barton instruction is effective from early elementary through high school, and even for adults. The approach works regardless of age because it addresses the fundamental decoding skills that struggling readers of any age may lack. Whether your student is in one of Sarasota's elementary schools catching up on foundational phonics or an older student building reading confidence, the Susan Barton method can be adapted to their level and goals.