THOUGHT PARTNERS
The Florida Tutoring Advantage program is strengthened through strategic partnerships with leading national organizations that provide critical expertise, research-backed methodologies, and accountability frameworks essential for developing effective tutoring solutions at scale.
Florida Tutoring Advantage Thought Partners — Stanford’s NSSA, Results for America, Accelerate, Johns Hopkins’ Proven Tutoring, Evidence of ESSA, and The Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting — collectively provide the Florida Tutoring Advantage program with the expertise needed to design, implement, and scale a high-quality tutoring program.
Each partner brings a unique national perspective and expertise to the table, from ensuring compliance with federal education standards, to leveraging data for continuous improvement, to outcomes-based accountability. Their combined efforts make the Florida Tutoring Advantage a comprehensive, evidence-based, and sustainable initiative aimed at improving student outcomes across the state.
Stanford University’s National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA)
The National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) at Stanford University continues to focus on advancing tutoring and student support through research-driven practices. Their contributions to Florida Tutoring Advantage include:
- Evidence-based frameworks: Developing best practices for tutoring based on the latest research in education.
- Continuous evaluation: Designing systems for data collection and monitoring that track student progress and the overall effectiveness of the program.
- Tutor training and development: Providing guidance on how to train and support tutors to ensure high-quality, effective instructional practices.
Results for America (R4A)
Results for America works to ensure that public policy decisions are grounded in evidence and data. Their role in the Florida Tutoring Advantage is:
- Policy alignment: Advising on how the tutoring program aligns with state education goals and policies, ensuring it meets both local and national standards.
- Data and accountability: Developing strong systems for tracking and utilizing data to improve program outcomes, with an emphasis on continuous improvement.
- Advocacy for scaling: Supporting efforts to scale the tutoring program statewide, securing the funding and resources necessary for its expansion.
Accelerate
Accelerate focuses on improving K-12 education by using data and technology to drive equity and effectiveness. In the context of the Florida Tutoring Advantage, Accelerate plays a role in:
- Program design and implementation: Helping to design and implement the tutoring program in a way that is effective, efficient, and adaptable to various school settings across Florida.
- Ensuring that the tutoring program addresses disparities in access to high-quality educational support.
- Collaborative networks: Fostering collaboration among key stakeholders—including schools, districts, and tutoring providers—to continuously improve the program’s delivery and impact.
Johns Hopkins University’s Proven Tutoring Program
The Johns Hopkins University Proven Tutoring Program offers expertise in delivering high-impact, research-driven tutoring models. Their contributions to the Florida Tutoring Advantage include:
- Effective tutoring models: Providing research-backed tutoring strategies that improve student achievement.
- Tutor preparation: Assisting in the design of robust tutor training programs and supporting tutors through ongoing professional development.
- Program evaluation: Helping to develop strong assessment methods that evaluate both student outcomes and the overall quality of the tutoring program.
Evidence of ESSA
Evidence of ESSA plays a vital role by helping ensure that the Florida Tutoring Advantage meets the standards for federal funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Their involvement includes:
- ESSA compliance: Guiding the program to ensure that the tutoring services meet ESSA’s requirements for evidence-based interventions, particularly those that show strong evidence of effectiveness.
- Evidence rating: Supporting the development and assessment of the tutoring models to ensure that they are based on rigorous research and aligned with ESSA’s criteria for “strong,” “moderate,” or “promising” evidence.
- Impact measurement: Assisting with the design of impact evaluations that can demonstrate the effectiveness of the program, helping to make a case for continued funding and improvement.
The Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting (OBC) at the Southern Education Foundation
The Center for OBC at the Southern Education Foundation focuses on ensuring that educational programs are held accountable for measurable outcomes. Their role in the Florida Tutoring Advantage includes:
- Sustainability and scaling: Ensuring that the tutoring program can be scaled effectively by structuring financial and contractual arrangements that support long-term sustainability and growth, while remaining accountable for results.
- Outcomes-based contracting: Helping to structure the tutoring program with contracts that are tied to student outcomes. This ensures that tutoring services are held accountable for delivering measurable improvements in student achievement.
- Performance metrics: Assisting with the development of clear and actionable performance metrics that align tutoring delivery with student success.
