Program Description
OnYourMark is an early literacy tutoring service providing virtual, individualized, high dosage instruction focused on foundational early literacy skills. The program is grounded in the science of reading and partners with schools as a complement to the literacy instruction already in place. OnYourMark recruits and hires tutors, as well as provides the initial tutoring training and ongoing professional development focused on content knowledge, building relationships, and effective delivery of the intervention. The curriculum focuses on foundational literacy skills such as phonics, phonological awareness, and fluency and is delivered in 1:1 or 2:1 sessions embedded into the school day. The program facilitates positive tutor-student relationships through a small student-tutor ratio and by pairing students with a consistent tutor for the duration of the program.
Program Outcomes
The impact of OnYourMark Education’s virtual tutoring program was examined in a randomized study that was implemented across 12 Texas schools during the 2022-23 academic year. Conducted within classrooms, yet facilitated by online tutors, the program offered four 20-minute sessions each week, spanning from September to May. The diverse study sample (93% economically disadvantaged, 25% Black, 66% Hispanic, 32% Multilingual learners, 33% students with disabilities) included 2,085 K-2 students: 510 randomly assigned to receive one-on-one tutoring, 570 to two-on-one sessions, and 1,005 to a business-as-usual control condition. Overall, students who were assigned to receive OnYourMark tutoring scored significantly higher than their peers in the control group on the DIBELS (effect size = +0.08), with lower-performing students and first graders in 1:1 sessions benefiting the most (effect sizes = +0.18 and +0.19 respectively). Results did not translate to significantly better performance on the NWEA MAP (effect size = +0.04). Across grades and measures, the average effect size = +0.06.
Staffing Requirements
Tutors provided by OnYourMark. On-site school staff to supervise tutoring sessions.
Professional Development/Training
OnYourMark tutors receive 20 hours of training prior to tutoring start and receive ongoing weekly coaching and professional development throughout the school year.
Technology
Access to a computer, headphones (preferably noise-cancelling and with a microphone) and reliable internet.