Students who benefit most include those with dyslexia or reading difficulties, struggling readers who haven't responded well to traditional classroom instruction, and learners who need explicit, step-by-step phonics instruction. The system also works well for students who are behind grade level in reading skills or those who need multisensory approaches to solidify letter-sound relationships. For students in Baton Rouge's 121 schools, personalized Susan Barton instruction can bridge gaps that larger classroom settings (with an average 22.4:1 student-teacher ratio) may not address.

Personalized 1-on-1 Susan Barton instruction allows tutors to move at your student's pace, focus on their specific skill gaps, and use multisensory techniques consistently without the time constraints of a classroom. Tutors can diagnose exactly where a student is struggling—whether it's phoneme awareness, blending, or sight word recognition—and target instruction accordingly. In contrast, classroom teachers manage diverse learning needs across many students, which can mean some learners don't get the intensive, targeted practice they need to master foundational reading skills.

The first session typically includes an assessment to understand your student's current reading level, identify specific challenges, and determine where to start within the Susan Barton curriculum. Tutors will explain the approach, show how multisensory techniques work, and set clear goals for progress. This foundation ensures that personalized instruction is tailored to your student's needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan.

Most students show noticeable improvement in decoding and fluency within 4-8 weeks of consistent, focused instruction—though the timeline varies based on the severity of reading difficulties and frequency of tutoring sessions. Students often gain confidence quickly as they understand how sounds and letters connect, which motivates continued progress. Sustained improvement in comprehension and grade-level reading skills typically develops over several months of regular practice and instruction.

Susan Barton instruction complements most reading curricula used in Louisiana schools by strengthening foundational phonics and decoding skills that underpin all reading programs. While classroom teachers may use different materials or pacing, the explicit, systematic phonics approach in Susan Barton fills gaps and accelerates progress in skills that many struggling readers need. Tutors can coordinate with classroom instruction to ensure your student's personalized work supports their grade-level reading expectations.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors trained in the Susan Barton Reading System who work with students in Baton Rouge. When you reach out, we match you with a tutor whose expertise and availability fit your student's needs, ensuring personalized instruction from someone who understands both the system and your local school context. You can discuss your student's specific reading challenges and goals to find the right fit.

Tutors use ongoing assessments to track progress in phoneme awareness, decoding accuracy, reading fluency, and comprehension—providing clear benchmarks of improvement. You'll see tangible results like increased reading speed, fewer decoding errors, and improved confidence when tackling new texts. Regular communication with your tutor helps you understand where your student is progressing and where additional focus may help accelerate growth.