As a parent, do you find yourself wondering if your child is learning what they need to for future academic success? Perhaps their grades are fine but you still sense they lack a full understanding of concepts covered in class, or have trouble retaining what they’ve learned. Or maybe you’re concerned that, due to grade inflation, the level of your child’s learning isn’t where it needs to be, despite a good report card.

If you have had any of these questions, then you are not alone. As discussed in this TIME Magazine article, there exists a sizeable disconnect between parents’ perception of their child’s academic proficiency and the child’s actual ability as measured by standardized tests. Understandably, most parents look to report cards to gauge their child’s learning. However, the reality is that grades don’t tell the whole story. As one example, the Learning Heroes’ Go Beyond Grades report advises that – while 80% of New York City parents report their child’s grades at Bs or higher – only half of those students are truly performing at grade level. The good news? Fit Learning can provide you with an objective view into your child’s academic progress and uncover any areas of weakness. What’s more, Fit can remediate those deficits in a way that’s both effective and enjoyable for kids.

My learner’s grades are great, so she must be on track … right?

Not necessarily. Grades (and report cards) often incorporate a variety of factors other than true academic knowledge. These can include a student’s effort and improvement, attendance, class participation, and homework completion, just to name a few. Therefore, report cards shouldn’t be seen as an absolute reflection of a student’s learning or academic progress. As illustrated in the NYC example above, it’s not uncommon for students to get good grades without having mastered the core skills or achieved the knowledge needed for future success.

So, if grades aren’t the best way to assess my child’s aptitude, how do I get a clear picture of where they are as compared to where they should be?

One common way to assess students’ learning is through standardized tests, which gauge a learner’s proficiency in core subject areas as compared to established grade level benchmarks. Unfortunately, as the TIME article points out, parents often don’t always receive those scores from the school. Or, if they do, they may receive them too late in the school year to implement meaningful remediation.

This is where Fit Learning comes in. At Fit, we identify a student’s specific areas of deficit upfront. Then, we coach the learner to fluency in those areas before moving on to more advanced material. Each Fit enrollment kicks off with a comprehensive assessment to pinpoint which foundational (or component) skills the student has and has not mastered. We use the insights gleaned from the assessment to create a customized learning plan for the student. The tracking doesn’t end there. During learning sessions, the Fit learning coach carefully monitors – and captures data on – how the learner progresses through the curriculum. That way, the coach always has a view into how the learner’s knowledge stacks up to same-aged peers. They use this information to make real-time instructional decisions, ensuring that the tutoring sessions are as focused and effective as possible.

Once I know what skill gaps my learner has, how do we address them?

After identifying areas of weakness, Fit Learning uses a 1:1 precision teaching approach to tutor students to mastery, or fluency, in core skills. The method helps fill in any foundational skill gaps while reinforcing and building upon the learner’s existing knowledge. It even bolsters students’ executive functioning. This means that they not only learn the academic material at hand, but also are better prepared to continue learning as the concepts get more advanced.

Besides its use of continuous assessment and fluency training, other key tenets of Fit’s science-based method include:

• customized curricula targeting the exact skills each learner needs to move forward
• multimodal sessions incorporating pictures, writing, facial expressions, speech, and audio
• use of explicit instruction, deliberate practice, and immediate feedback; each learning session is full of back-and-forth between student and learning coach
• fast-paced FUN learning that incorporates confidence-building celebration, rewards and reinforcement (see our prize tower!), and never any homework

At Fit learning, all of these elements combine to create a solution that gets real results. Fit’s learning outcomes are unparalleled, with the average student improving 1-2 grade levels after 40 hours.

What academic subjects does Fit cover?

Fit Learning provides instruction in the areas of reading, math, writing, spelling, critical thinking, penmanship, and study skills. It also offers a school-readiness curriculum for younger learners, and a program providing support and supplementation for homeschooled students. And, Fit’s Academic Summer Camp kicks off each June. Learning sessions can be conducted online (or via a hybrid model) as well as in person. Regardless of the subject area, all Fit’s learning sessions are all 1:1 and individualized, so we meet your child right where they are and build from there.

What kinds of students does Fit help?

At Fit, our approach works for all types of learners. This includes those who are gifted/talented, those who are struggling in school for any reason, and those with learning challenges or diagnoses such as ADHD. So, whether your child has straight As, is falling behind in reading or math, or has special education needs, they will benefit from Fit Learning’s tutoring.

How do I get my learner started at Fit Learning?

To learn more, simply contact Janice Smith, the lab director for Fit Learning St. Louis. She will answer any questions and work with you to schedule your child’s comprehensive assessment. Then, relax and look forward to knowing exactly what skills your child has mastered or has deficits in … and being assured that they are getting the help they need. In the meantime, check out our Parent’s Guide to Fit Learning St. Louis for more on Fit Learning’s unique method and how it benefits students.