Tutor Learning Initiative 2021

Policy

This policy outlines how schools can plan for and implement the Tutor Learning Initiative to support student learning in the 2021 school year.

Please note: Specific guidance to implement the Tutor Learning Initiative is provided on the Guidance tab.

Details

The Tutor Learning Initiative is designed to support students whose learning has been disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools must only use their funding to engage tutors to provide targeted teaching to students identified as needing support.

The Initiative will be delivered in 2021 and commence in schools from Term 1. Schools must record students receiving targeted teaching on CASES21, and update student details in terms 2,3, and 4.

Schools will be able to determine the most appropriate model of tutoring for their school and students, with support from regional staff and guided by the evidence, resources, and professional learning developed by the Department.

The funding provided to schools must be spent during the 2021 calendar year. Funding will be provided through a Student Resource Package (SRP) credit allocation.

Assessment

To identify and monitor the progress of students participating in the Initiative, schools can use their existing assessment data and students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs). Further guidance about assessment is provided in the Guidance chapter Student assessment and selection for support.

Recruitment

Tutors must be employed as either: 

• a Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registered teacher, or a teacher with VIT Permission to Teach (Teacher Tutor)
• an education support class employee who is a pre-service teacher
• an education support class employee who is a speech therapist or occupational therapist, and who are employed to enable learning support for identified students.

Pre-service teachers employed as education support class tutors must be directly supervised by a teacher.

The VIT offers advice about eligibility requirements for tutors in 2021. For more information visit Victorian Government Tutor Learning Initiative.

Guidance on tutor engagement, funding, accessing notebooks for tutors, student assessment and selection, and implementing small-group learning is provided on the  Guidance tab.

Professional learning

Professional learning to support implementation of the TLI in schools is being provided for school leaders and tutors. Previous sessions and upcoming professional learning can be accessed on the TLI Arc channel.

Further information about professional learning is provided on the Resources tab.

Related policies

• Consultation with School Based Staff
• Individual Education Plans (IEPS)
• Industrial Agreements
• Recruitment in Schools

Contact

Schools should contact their Student Achievement Manager (SAM) or Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL) in the first instance for individual concerns.

In addition to their regional contacts, schools can direct queries about the initiative to the following Department contacts::

• for queries relating to HR and recruitment, contact Schools Recruitment on: 1800 641 943
• for queries regarding funding, contact School Financial Management Support Unit: schools.finance.support@education.vic.gov.au
• for general queries about the initiative, contact: tutor@education.vic.gov.au
• for tutor registration, refer to Victorian Government ‘Tutoring in 2021’ initiative
• for queries about the tutor laptops contact: notebook@education.vic.gov.au