About the program
Reports and research
2021 Audit Office of NSW
This audit examined a state-wide program to provide small group tuition to students disadvantaged by the move to learning from home during 2020.
The audit assessed the design and implementation of the program.
Grattan Institute reports
The Grattan Institute produces high-quality public policy recommendations for Australia’s future. Their independent research has helped shape the Australian policy conversation, from childcare to the COVID-19 response.
COVID catch-up: Helping disadvantaged students close the equity gap
Research reported by the Grattan Institute in June 2020 identified that students from lower socio-economic backgrounds faced greater educational disadvantage as a result from the move to learning from home. The report recommended targeted catch-up learning strategies focus intensively on disadvantaged students receiving regular short sessions in reading and maths, three or four times a week over a 12-week period.
The report found the level of impact depended on factors such as:
- Home environment being conducive to learning
- Access to digital devices and internet connectivity
- Parental/other support for learning at home
- Capabilities and motivation for independent learning
- Adapting to new routines for learning
- Well-being and good health.
Read the full article on the Grattan Institute website
Read the report: COVID catch-up: Helping disadvantaged students close the equity gap
Tackling under-achievement: Why Australia should embed high-quality small-group tuition in schools
The Grattan Institute's January 2023 research report emphasises the potential of small-group tuition to bridge the learning gap for struggling students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Supported by robust international research, well-designed small-group tuition has shown the ability to boost student learning by up to four months over the course of a year. Effective small-group tuition involves a tutor working with groups of about 3-5 students for at least 10 weeks, scheduled three times a week for up to an hour each. The benefits arise from focused attention, tailored work, increased opportunities for retrieval practice, and social gains.
Work for the department? Find out more about the program on the Small Group Tuition program guidelines webpage. For program enquiries contact us via email at smallgroup.tuition@det.nsw.edu.au.