Friday, May 12th 2023 Event, SCALE

National Student Support Accelerator Conference

The event brought together tutoring providers, researchers, and school district leaders to drive the successful implementation of high-impact tutoring nationwide.

by Isabel Sacks

Professor Susanna Loeb addresses tutoring providers, researchers, and district leaders at the annual NSSA conference. Photo: Ryan Zhang

share

The Stanford Accelerator for Learning hosted the National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) annual conference on May 9, bringing together a community committed to the power of high-impact tutoring for learners. Collaborative activities throughout the day fostered connections among tutoring providers, researchers, and school district leaders to share information and renew their inspiration.

Susanna Loeb, a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education and a faculty lead for the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, welcomed attendees: “Our goal for today is to be active and participatory, and for you to leave here inspired, with new knowledge, new relationships, and new energy.”
Keynote speaker Penny Schwinn, commissioner of education for the state of Tennessee, emphasized the collective responsibility to ensure every learner’s success. “Operate with urgency,” she said. “Think about what is bold and big, and then do even more than that, because we have millions of kids in Tennessee and across the country who deserve that.”
Adeola Whitney, CEO of the national nonprofit Reading Partners, highlighted the power of engaging families, which her organization did out of necessity during the pandemic and realized how much value it brought to their tutoring programs.
Researchers attending the conference gathered in small groups to discuss current research into high-impact tutoring and the gaps in understanding, sparking ideas for future investigation.
Education leaders brainstormed around the main challenges and opportunities for tutoring in their states and districts.
Program leads at universities that provide tutors or organize tutoring initiatives were a key part of the conversation.
To share comprehensive resources for high-impact tutoring, the conference included both published and in-progress research.
The day featured a full schedule of panels and speakers, collaborative group sessions, and opportunities for informal networking.

Photos: Ryan Zhang

© Stanford University.   Stanford, California 94305.