High-Quality Tutoring Programs

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On September 14, 2023, Governor Youngkin signed HB 6001/SB 6001, which included a significant investment in public education. To ensure schools and divisions have access to high-quality and vetted tutoring programs, the Virginia Department of Education (Department) has developed the High-Quality Tutoring Programs Application Process. This process outlines criteria and expectations used in the review of tutoring programs at the state and division levels. The High-Quality Tutoring Programs Application Process will provide school divisions with flexibility when developing effective, academic tutoring programs and ensure that they are meeting the needs of their students, families, and communities. The Department will accept applications beginning December 2025 for an initial phase of approvals.

Following the initial phase, the Department will accept applications each January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.

Application Process

Completed applications (see Appendix A) should be submitted to Instruction@doe.virginia.gov. Applications will be reviewed based on:

Demonstrated positive impact on student achievement.
Use of an acceleration approach.
Focus on grade-level materials.
High-intensity program design.
Low tutor-to-student ratio.
Variety of tutoring options, virtual and on-site.
Training and support for tutor.

Once a program application passes the technical review, a Department review committee with expertise in areas such as curriculum, instruction, online learning, assessment, finance, school improvement, special education, and/or technology will evaluate the application. The review committee will provide a report with recommendations to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who will then approve or deny the applications. Applicants will be notified of the decision and, in the case of a denial, the reasons for the decision.

Approval Cycles

Initial Phase: Applications due December 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EST.

Led by the Division of Student Outcomes and School Quality, the Department will conduct a quarterly application and appeal cycle for provider applications, with each cycle lasting no more than 30 days, to ensure tutoring options are available for students, schools, and parents to consider when seeking academic support.

A Tutoring Program Review Committee will be formed to conduct a quarterly review of applications. The Tutoring Program Review Committee members may have expertise in the discipline Standards of Learning, curriculum, instruction, online learning, data collection and use, assessment and accountability, and technology and technical support.

The applications will be reviewed based on the High-Quality Tutoring Best Practices and the application components (see Appendix A of the High-Quality Tutoring Application Process). To support the proposed tutoring program’s availability to stakeholders, official notification of approval or denial will be communicated to the applicants, including detailed reasons for denial if applicable. If the Superintendent denies an application, the applicant may submit a revised application for consideration.

Phases I-IV: January 1 (I), April 1 (II), July 1 (III), and October 1 (IV), 11:59 p.m., EST

Following the initial phase, the Department will accept applications each January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 beginning in 2026. Completed applications should be submitted to Instruction@doe.virginia.gov. The Department will conduct a quarterly application and appeal cycle for provider applications, with each cycle lasting no more than 30 days, to ensure tutoring options are available for students, schools, and parents to consider when seeking academic support.

Questions

Questions should be submitted via email to Instruction@doe.virginia.gov.