Yes. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand IEP frameworks and can reinforce the specific goals outlined in your child's plan. Before starting, share your child's IEP with the tutor so they can align instruction with priority areas—whether that's reading fluency, math computation, social-emotional skills, or executive functioning. This targeted approach helps students make measurable progress on the exact skills their school team has identified.

Students often struggle with foundational skills like phonics and decoding (especially with dyslexia), math fact fluency and problem-solving, attention and task completion, and building confidence after repeated academic struggles. Personalized tutoring breaks skills into smaller steps, uses multi-sensory teaching methods, provides frequent feedback, and celebrates progress—all proven approaches that help students with learning differences build both skills and self-esteem. The 1-on-1 setting also removes distractions and allows tutors to adjust pacing in real time.

The first session is typically a get-to-know-you meeting where the tutor learns about your child's learning style, strengths, challenges, and goals. You'll share relevant information like your child's IEP, any diagnoses, what's worked well in the past, and specific areas you want to focus on. The tutor may do some informal assessment to understand where your child is starting from, then create a personalized plan that builds from there. This foundation helps ensure every future session is as effective as possible.

Look for tutors with background in special education, experience with specific learning differences your child has, knowledge of evidence-based interventions (like structured literacy for dyslexia or Orton-Gillingham methods), and familiarity with IEPs and accommodations. Many tutors hold special education certifications, have worked in special education classrooms, or specialize in particular areas like reading intervention or math. When you connect with a tutor through Varsity Tutors, you can discuss their experience and approach to make sure they're a good fit for your child.

Progress shows up in multiple ways: improved scores on reading or math assessments, increased fluency or accuracy in targeted skills, better ability to complete assignments independently, and growing confidence in academic situations. Work with your tutor to track specific, measurable goals—like reading 10 more words per minute, solving multi-step problems with fewer errors, or staying focused for longer periods. Many families also see progress reflected in updated IEP assessments and report cards, especially when tutoring aligns with school goals.

St. Louis's 9 school districts each have special education departments and coordinators who can answer questions about IEPs, evaluations, and services. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education also offers resources and advocacy information. While tutoring complements school services, it's designed to fill gaps and accelerate progress on specific skills your child is working on. Many families find that combining school support with personalized tutoring creates the strongest foundation for success.

Frequency depends on your child's needs, goals, and current skill gaps. Some students benefit from weekly sessions to build foundational skills, while others do well with bi-weekly sessions once they've made progress. Most students see meaningful results with consistent, ongoing tutoring over several months. Your tutor can recommend a schedule based on your child's learning pace and the specific skills you're targeting, and you can adjust as needed based on progress.