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Online tutoring works: Experimental evidence from a program with vulnerable children

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  • Gortazar, Lucas
  • Hupkau, Claudia
  • Roldán-Monés, Antonio

Abstract

We provide evidence from a randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of a novel, 100-percent online math tutoring program, targeted at secondary school students from highly disadvantaged neighborhoods. The intensive, eight-week-long program was delivered in groups of two students during after-school hours, mostly by qualified math teachers. The intervention significantly increased standardized test scores (+0.26 SD) and end-of-year math grades (+0.49 SD), while reducing the probability of repeating the school year. The intervention also raised aspirations, as well as self-reported effort at school. The two-on-one design allows us to significantly reduce costs and improve scalability, while showing similar results as one-on-one tutoring programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Gortazar, Lucas & Hupkau, Claudia & Roldán-Monés, Antonio, 2024. "Online tutoring works: Experimental evidence from a program with vulnerable children," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:232:y:2024:i:c:s0047272724000185
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105082
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    2. Fiala, Lenka & Fitzgerald, Jack & Kujansuu, Essi & Mikola, Derek & Valenta, David & Aparicio, Juan P. & Wiebe, Michael & Webb, Matthew D. & Brodeur, Abel, 2025. "A Comment on "Delivering Remote Learning Using a Low-Tech Solution: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Bangladesh"," I4R Discussion Paper Series 241, The Institute for Replication (I4R).
    3. Mehic, Adrian, 2024. "The Long-Term Effects of Early Sports Selection," Working Paper Series 1513, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    4. Silke Anger & Bernhard Christoph & Agata Galkiewicz & Shushanik Margaryan & Malte Sandner & Thomas Siedler, 2025. "Online Tutoring, School Performance, and School-to-Work Transitions: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial," Berlin School of Economics Discussion Papers 0084, Berlin School of Economics.
    5. Muller, Noël & Fruttero,Anna & Calvo-Gonzalez,Oscar & De Hoop,Jacobus Joost, 2024. "Policies for Aspirations and Opportunities," Policy Research Working Paper Series 192482, The World Bank.
    6. Monica Claudia Grigoroiu & Bianca Tescașiu & Cristinel Petrișor Constantin & Cristina Țurcanu & Alina Simona Tecău, 2024. "Extended Learning through After-School Programs: Supporting Disadvantaged Students and Promoting Social Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-28, September.
    7. Diris, Ron & Fairley, Kim, 2024. "The Effect of Extended Education on Educational Quality and Inequality: An Event Study Approach," IZA Discussion Papers 17526, IZA Network @ LISER.
    8. Wang, Deliang & Zhen, Yuanyi & Shan, Dapeng & Zhang, Chenwei & Kao, Ben & Chen, Gaowei, 2025. "More investment, more engagement? Analyzing dialogic behavior in online one-to-one tutoring among different payment mechanisms," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    9. Monica Claudia Grigoroiu & Cristina Țurcanu & Cristinel Petrișor Constantin & Alina Simona Tecău & Bianca Tescașiu, 2025. "The Impact of EU-Funded Educational Programs on the Socio-Economic Development of Romanian Students: A Multidimensional Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-31, February.
    10. Dyan Kiem R. Parcon & Teresita Q. Adriano, 2026. "The Pedagogical Strategies of Filipino EFL Tutors for Non-Filipino Learners: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 10(3), pages 7508-7524, March.
    11. Goulas, Sofoklis, 2025. "The Value of Remote Work: A Correspondence Experiment on Tutors," IZA Discussion Papers 17592, IZA Network @ LISER.

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    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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