November 14, 2025
SmartStart Education is proud to share that CABE Journal, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education’s official publication, recently featured an article written by our Founder and CEO, Isaak Aronson, along with SmartStart Grant Writer Kayla Lowe.
Their piece, “Unlocking Student Success Through High-Dosage Tutoring,” appears in the September 2025 issue and explores why high-dosage tutoring (HDT) has become one of the most effective tools for accelerating academic growth in K–12 schools.
This recognition highlights the increasing statewide and national focus on evidence-based strategies that help students recover from pandemic-related learning loss and build lasting academic confidence.
What Does the Article Cover?
In the CABE Journal article, Aronson and Lowe explain why high-dosage tutoring is one of the most effective ways to accelerate student learning.
Unlike traditional homework help or occasional after-school support, HDT is intensive, consistent, and embedded into the school day. This structure ensures students receive individualized instruction that helps them stay on track and thrive.
Key Components of High-Dosage Tutoring Programs
The article outlines the core elements of effective HDT programs, including:
- Small-group instruction with no more than four students
- Qualified tutors who build strong relationships with learners
- Alignment with classroom lessons and curriculum
- Data-informed instruction based on ongoing assessments
- In-school delivery that supports equitable access
- Sessions held at least three times each week
The authors also highlight research from Brown University, the University of Chicago Education Lab, and Education Week showing that HDT can produce two to three times the typical academic growth in a single school year. Students in HDT programs also demonstrate improved attendance, greater engagement, and stronger connections with educators.
SmartStart’s High-Dosage Tutoring Results in Connecticut
The article also showcases new data from the Connecticut districts SmartStart serves.
In Pomperaug Regional School District 15:
- Grade 6 achieved a 21% increase in performance
- Grade 7 achieved a 570% increase
- Grade 8 achieved more than a 116% increase
Statewide results are equally strong. Among SmartStart HDT participants:
- 58% raised their SBAC Math scores
- 60% improved their i-Ready Benchmark scores from fall to spring
These results confirm what national research has shown. When HDT is structured effectively and delivered consistently, students make meaningful, measurable progress.
If you would like to explore more success stories, you can browse additional SmartStart case studies here.
How This Work Connects to SmartStart’s Mission
SmartStart Education is deeply committed to expanding access to evidence-based interventions that support academic growth. Our team designs and delivers high-dosage tutoring programs, provides experienced tutors, monitors progress through data, and ensures that instruction aligns with school and district goals.
This work reflects SmartStart’s broader mission to partner with schools in ways that strengthen learning outcomes and help students make measurable progress.
In addition to HDT, SmartStart also provides K–12 staffing services that help districts fill essential roles and maintain strong instructional support systems.
The results highlighted in the CABE Journal reinforce the impact of this mission and show how SmartStart is helping districts across Connecticut and beyond improve academic performance.
A Call to Action for School and District Leaders
Aronson and Lowe emphasize that the continued success of high-dosage tutoring requires long-term commitment and strategic investment. Pandemic-era relief funds have already expired, which means districts now need sustainable budgeting strategies to maintain the progress students have made.
District and state leaders are encouraged to prioritize high-dosage tutoring in future planning cycles and consider the full range of eligible funding sources, including Title I, III, and IV.
Learn More About Partnering With SmartStart
SmartStart Education supports districts through high-dosage tutoring, intervention programs, and K–12 staffing solutions that drive real academic growth. If you are a district or higher education leader interested in learning more about implementing HDT or partnering with our team:
Contact SmartStart Education today, and together, we can accelerate student success.
