When it comes to mathematics tutoring for both high school and college students, the connection between the student and tutor is paramount. On one side of the table sits a tutor, often a math enthusiast who grasps algebraic concepts intuitively. On the other side sits a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), staring at a page of numbers that might as well be written in ancient hieroglyphs.
Learning Gaps in Math Education
This dynamic has always been tricky, but the stakes are higher than ever. For a variety of reasons, mathematics teachers have noticed and recorded unprecedented learning gaps. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, average math scores for 13-year-olds plunged by 9 points between 2020 and 2023. For vulnerable populations, the damage was even more severe: students with disabilities saw their math scores decline by 8 points between 2020 and 2022. In addition, just 22% of U.S. high school seniors achieved proficiency in math. Today’s tutors aren’t just teaching math; they are effectively doing academic triage.
Most math tutors are hired precisely because they excel at the subject. However, this expertise often creates a cognitive blind spot known as the “curse of knowledge.” When a tutor understands a mathematical concept inside and out, it becomes incredibly difficult for them to remember what it was like not to know it.
A tutor might look at a multi-step algebra equation and instantly see the path to the solution. They might inadvertently skip foundational steps in their explanation, assuming the logical leap is obvious. But to a student learning the material for the first time, that skipped step is a collapsed bridge. The tutor wonders why the student isn’t following along, while the student feels inadequate and hopelessly lost.
Supporting Students with Learning Differences
For students with IEPs, math isn’t just a tough subject; it can be an overwhelming psychological hurdle. Many students with learning differences struggle with executive functioning, processing speed, or working memory. When a tutor rapidly fires off instructions or relies heavily on mental math, a student with an IEP can easily experience cognitive overload.
Because these students are often learning complex topics for the very first time amidst a backdrop of pandemic-era learning loss, their baseline frustration is exceptionally high. They have likely sat through months of classroom instruction feeling left behind while their peers moved forward. When a well-meaning but fast-paced tutor steps in, the student’s defense mechanisms can easily trigger. Math anxiety takes over, shutting down the brain’s ability to process and retain new information.
What the Right Tutor can do!
So, how can expert math tutors successfully reach students with IEPs? Slow down and show every step. Never assume a step is too basic to write down. Explicit, systematic instruction is essential for students who struggle with working memory. Also, embrace empathy over efficiency. The goal isn’t to race to the right answer. The goal is to build confidence. Validate their frustration by acknowledging that the material is difficult, rather than telling them it should be easy. Limit the cognitive load. Break large problems down into small, manageable chunks. Celebrate the completion of each small step rather than just the final answer.
Tutoring math to students with IEPs requires much more than just subject matter expertise. It demands immense patience, empathy, and the willingness of the tutor to step out of their expert mindset and view the numbers through a beginner’s eyes. Only then can we begin to successfully repair the math deficits left in the wake of the pandemic
