Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand IEP and 504 accommodations and can reinforce the goals outlined in your student's plan. Tutors can work on specific skill areas identified by your school team, practice strategies recommended by specialists, and help students generalize skills across settings. We recommend sharing your student's plan with their tutor so instruction directly supports their documented needs and progress toward IEP goals.

With an average student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 across Des Moines' 77 schools, many students with learning differences benefit from additional one-on-one support to keep up with grade-level content and build foundational skills. Common challenges include gaps in reading or math fluency, difficulty with executive functioning and organization, challenges with social communication, and anxiety around academic performance. Personalized tutoring addresses these gaps by moving at the student's pace and using evidence-based strategies that work for their learning profile.

In a classroom setting, teachers manage the needs of many students with varying abilities, which can make it difficult to address individual learning gaps. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to focus entirely on your student's strengths and challenges, adjust pacing in real time, use targeted strategies, and provide immediate feedback. This targeted approach helps students build confidence, close skill gaps faster, and develop independence—outcomes that are harder to achieve in a group setting.

The first session is typically a get-to-know-you meeting where the tutor learns about your student's learning style, strengths, challenges, and goals. The tutor may assess current skill levels in key areas like reading, math, or executive functioning to understand where to focus. This foundation helps the tutor design a personalized plan that addresses your student's specific needs and sets realistic, measurable goals for progress.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have expertise in special education, learning disabilities, neurodivergence, or related areas. Many have backgrounds in special education teaching, speech-language pathology, educational psychology, or other relevant fields. When you describe your student's needs, we match them with a tutor whose experience and approach align with your student's learning profile and goals.

Tutors work with you to establish clear, measurable goals at the start and regularly check in on progress toward those goals. Progress might be tracked through skill assessments, completion of academic tasks, improved organization and executive functioning, or increased confidence and independence. Regular communication between you, the tutor, and your student's school team helps ensure everyone is aligned and celebrating wins along the way.

Start by telling us about your student's learning needs, grade level, and goals. Varsity Tutors will match you with an experienced tutor who specializes in your student's area of need and can work with your schedule. You can then connect with the tutor to discuss your student's IEP or 504 plan, learning style, and what success looks like—and begin personalized instruction that makes a real difference.