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Merge Daily Personalized Tutoring with Advanced Tech in Schools for Peak Academic Growth

This episode of 'The Future of Education' explores how high-dosage, personalized tutoring—integrated into the school day and enhanced by AI—can address pandemic-era learning loss and achievement gaps. Host Michael Horn speaks with Saga Education co-founders Alan Safran and A.J. Gutierrez about scaling tutoring as a systemic educational strategy. Research from Brookings, Harvard, and McKinsey underscores the effectiveness of individualized instruction over traditional one-size-fits-all classroom models.

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By Michael B. Horn · A.j. GutierrezAlan SafranArtificial Intelligence (ai)Michael Horn
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Key takeaways

01

High-dosage tutoring embedded in the school day narrows achievement gaps faster than traditional classroom instruction alone.

02

Saga Education grew from a single charter school model into a national framework for scalable, relationship-driven tutoring.

03

AI and emerging technologies offer significant potential to expand the reach and efficiency of personalized tutoring programs.

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In recent years, the educational landscape has been significantly disrupted, first by the pandemic and now by the integration of new technologies and teaching methodologies. As we navigate this evolution, one age-old method, tutoring, has emerged at the forefront, albeit with a modern twist. This resurgence is driven by the stark realization that traditional classroom settings, with their one-size-fits-all approach, often fail to address the diverse needs of students. Research from Brookings, Harvard, and McKinsey highlights the effectiveness of personalized tutoring in not only catching students up to grade level but also in forging meaningful, supportive relationships that foster academic and personal growth.

Personalized tutoring is effective in not only catching students up to grade level but also in forging meaningful, supportive relationships that foster academic and personal growth.

But how can we implement tutoring in an impactful and scalable way, ensuring every child receives the personalized attention they need to thrive academically?

In this episode of ” The Future of Education,” host Michael Horn, invites Alan Safran and A.J. Gutierrez, the co-founders of Saga Education, to explore the transformative power of tutoring. Safran, serving as CEO, and Gutierrez, the Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, share their journey from the inception of Saga Education through its evolution in response to the changing educational needs and the potential of new technologies.

The conversation covers several key points:

  • The Origin and Evolution of Saga Education: From its roots in addressing the academic disparities at Match Charter School to becoming a national model for effective tutoring.
  • Scaling Tutoring for Widespread Impact: Strategies for integrating tutoring into the regular school day and making it a staple of educational systems nationwide.
  • The Role of Technology and AI in Tutoring: Exploring the potential to enhance the efficiency and reach of tutoring through innovative technologies.

Alan Safran brings a wealth of experience from his time as executive director of the Match Charter School in Boston, while A.J. Gutierrez’s journey from a ninth-grade student to a co-founder of Saga Education provides a unique perspective on the transformative impact of tutoring. Their combined insights offer a compelling case for reimagining the role of tutoring in education.

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About the author

Michael B. Horn
Michael B. HornSpeaker, Writer & Advisor on the Future of Education, Clayton Christensen Institute

Michael Horn speaks and writes about the future of education and works with a portfolio of education organizations to improve the life of each and every student. He is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, and host of the Future of Education podcast on MarketScale.

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About the Experts

Michael B. Horn headshot
Michael B. Horn

Co-Founder & Senior Advisor, Clayton Christensen Institute; Author and Education Thought Leader

Clayton Christensen Institute

Michael B. Horn is a co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation and a widely recognized thought leader in education reform and innovation. He is the author of several books on disruptive innovation in education, including 'Disrupting Class' and 'Choosing College.' Horn hosts 'The Future of Education' podcast, where he interviews educators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers shaping the future of learning.

AS
Alan Safran

CEO and Co-Founder

Saga Education

Alan Safran is the CEO and co-founder of Saga Education, a national nonprofit focused on scaling high-dosage tutoring in public schools. He previously served as executive director of Match Charter School in Boston, where early tutoring models were developed and refined.

AG
A.J. Gutierrez

Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Co-Founder

Saga Education

A.J. Gutierrez is a co-founder and Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer at Saga Education. His path from student to educator to policy advocate informs his work expanding access to high-dosage tutoring for underserved student populations across the country.

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