Tutor Learning Initiative

Delivering tutoring for different student groups

The sections below include considerations when providing tutoring to different cohorts of students and includes information from the evidence base and relevant departmental policies and resources.

Tutoring for students with an Individual Education Plan

Some students participating in tutoring under the TLI program will have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), also known as individual learning plans, individual learning improvement plans and Koorie education learning plans.

The Individual Education Plans policy outlines that IEPs are required for:

• students in statutory Out-of-home care (OOHC)
• Koorie students (as required by Marrung: Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026)
• students supported under individualised disability funding programs including the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) and Disability Inclusion
• students in youth justice (custody and community)
• students in re-engagement programs under contract arrangements with another school or provider
• students undertaking Flexible Learning Options (FLOs).

IEPs are also highly recommended for:

• students with additional needs
• students not achieving to their potential (this may include high-ability students, where appropriate) – further guidance is available from the department’s High-ability toolkit)
• students at risk of disengagement
• students who are young carers (where appropriate)
• any other students determined by the school as needing an IEP.

IEPs include an outline of the student’s educational goals, including for literacy and numeracy. For students with an IEP, tutoring must be informed by, and integrated within, IEPs.

Delivery of tutoring for Koorie students

As highlighted in the department's Strategic Plan 2024-28 and in Marrung, access to culturally safe and inclusive learning environments and supports targeted to need are critical to ensure First Peoples learners achieve their potential, succeed in life, and feel strong in their cultural identity.

Delivery of tutoring for Koorie students in primary schools through the TLI program should be implemented alongside delivery of the Koorie Literacy and Numeracy Program (KLNP), which funds Victorian government primary and specialist schools to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for eligible Koorie students.

Further information is available at Koorie Education policy and Koorie literacy and numeracy programs.

Delivery of tutoring for students with learning difficulties

Some students participating in small group tutoring may have complex learning and other needs.

These students may have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which outlines key information including their literacy and numeracy learning goals. Tutoring should be informed by, and integrated within, these plans.

Further information is available at the Diverse Learners Hub including information, tools and guidance on diverse learning, including:

• understanding autism and how schools support autistic students
• understanding the different types of learning difficulties
• how learning difficulties can affect a child’s and young person’s learning
• evidence-based resources, tools, and guidance on learning diversity
• professional learning and teaching resources for school staff.

Delivery of tutoring for EAL Learners and students from refugee backgrounds

Information and guidance on supporting EAL students and meeting their learning and wellbeing needs is available at English as an Additional Language (EAL).

As outlined in the department’s guidance on Supporting students from refugee backgrounds, whilst some students from refugee backgrounds may have had extensive schooling, and strong literacy and numeracy skills in their first or additional languages, others may have had highly disrupted or minimal access to formal schooling. These students will have limited literacy proficiency in their home language and English and they will therefore require additional support from teachers and school staff to develop the English language and learning skills they need to succeed in the classroom and life beyond school.

Schools are encouraged to refer to a range of programs, support and advice available to help guide schools and staff who are supporting refugee background students and families.

Further information on working with students from a refugee background, including in the delivery of tutoring, is available at Supporting students from refugee backgrounds.

Delivery of tutoring for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

As noted in the department's Strategic Plan 2024-28, the department is committed to enabling children and young people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability to get the full benefits of education.

Social disadvantage can often place students well behind their peers when entering the education system.

Studies undertaken in England have shown that students from disadvantaged backgrounds typically receive additional benefits from small group tuition (Evidence for Learning, 2021).

Schools can choose to use the Equity (Social Disadvantage) Funding provided through the Student Resource Package to supplement their TLI funding to meet the needs of this cohort of students.

Further information is available at Social Disadvantage Funding.