Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand how to support IEP goals and work collaboratively with your child's school team. When you connect with a tutor, you can share your child's IEP, specific accommodations, and learning objectives so instruction is tailored to those targets. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to adjust pacing, use multi-sensory approaches, and provide the repetition and practice that students with learning differences often need to build confidence and mastery.

With over 291,000 students across Brooklyn's 801 schools, many students with learning differences struggle with the fast pace of classroom instruction, limited one-on-one attention, and difficulty accessing content in ways that match their learning style. Students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, or autism may fall behind in reading, math, or executive functioning skills despite having the ability to learn. The average student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 in Brooklyn schools means teachers have limited time to provide the individualized support these students need to succeed.

Personalized instruction allows tutors to work at your child's pace, use evidence-based strategies like multisensory learning and explicit instruction, and provide immediate feedback and adjustments. Without the distractions of a classroom, students can focus on building foundational skills, processing information more deeply, and developing strategies to overcome specific challenges. Research on 1-on-1 instruction shows it significantly accelerates learning, particularly for students who need specialized approaches to access the curriculum.

The first session is an opportunity for the tutor to get to know your child, understand their learning style, strengths, and challenges, and establish a comfortable rapport. The tutor will typically assess current skill levels, review any IEP documentation or learning profiles you share, and discuss your goals for tutoring. This foundation allows the tutor to design a personalized instruction plan that targets specific skills while building your child's confidence and engagement.

Look for tutors with experience working with students who have specific learning differences relevant to your child (dyslexia, ADHD, autism, etc.), knowledge of evidence-based teaching methods, and familiarity with IEPs and accommodations. Ideally, tutors have training in specialized approaches like Orton-Gillingham for reading, structured math interventions, or social-emotional support. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, you can discuss your child's needs and get matched with a tutor whose background and expertise align with your family's goals.

Progress in special education tutoring can be measured through improved performance on IEP goals, increased confidence and engagement in learning, better grades in specific subjects, and growth in foundational skills like reading fluency or math computation. Your tutor can track progress through regular assessments, work samples, and observations, and share updates with you and your child's school team. Setting clear, specific goals at the start helps everyone understand what success looks like and allows you to celebrate meaningful progress along the way.

Special education tutors support a wide range of academic areas including reading and literacy, math, writing, executive functioning skills, study strategies, and test preparation. They also help with social-emotional learning, self-advocacy, and building confidence. Whether your child needs help with foundational skills like phonics and number sense or more advanced concepts like algebra and essay writing, personalized instruction can be adapted to meet your child's specific academic and developmental needs.