Reading struggles can stem from many causes—difficulty with phonemic awareness, weak decoding skills, limited vocabulary, or comprehension challenges. With Bakersfield's 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio across 196 schools, many students benefit from additional, focused support outside the classroom. A tutor can pinpoint whether a student needs help with fluency, understanding complex texts, or building confidence as a reader.

During an initial session, a tutor will typically assess your student's current reading level, identify specific challenges, and understand their learning style. This might include reviewing how they approach unfamiliar words, their comprehension of different text types, and their confidence with reading aloud. From there, the tutor creates a personalized plan targeting the areas that need the most support.

Effective reading intervention combines multiple evidence-based approaches: explicit phonics instruction, guided reading with appropriate-level texts, fluency practice, and comprehension strategies like predicting and summarizing. Tutors also use techniques like repeated reading, word study, and think-aloud modeling to help students understand their own thinking process. The specific mix depends entirely on what your student needs most.

Comprehension issues often stem from weak decoding skills, limited vocabulary, or lack of strategies for understanding complex text. Tutors teach students to ask questions while reading, make connections to prior knowledge, visualize scenes, and summarize key ideas. They also help students understand text structure and how to adjust their reading speed based on difficulty—skills that improve comprehension across all subjects.

Progress depends on the severity of the reading gap and how frequently your student receives tutoring. Many students show noticeable improvement in fluency and confidence within 4-8 weeks of consistent 1-on-1 instruction. More significant gains in comprehension and grade-level reading ability often take longer, but regular, personalized instruction accelerates growth compared to classroom instruction alone.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have expertise in reading intervention and understand your student's specific needs. You'll share details about your student's reading level, challenges, and goals, and we match you with qualified tutors available in your area. You can then meet with a tutor to ensure the fit is right before committing to ongoing sessions.

The most powerful support is creating regular reading time at home—even 15-20 minutes daily makes a difference. Ask your student about what they're reading, encourage them to read aloud, and help them practice strategies the tutor is teaching. Your tutor can also suggest specific books, apps, or activities that reinforce the skills they're working on, making home practice purposeful rather than frustrating.