Knowledge deficits in cumulative course material like mathematics can have long-lasting negative effects on students’ academic performance and even their future career prospects. This is because subjects like mathematics build upon themselves over time, with each new concept building upon the last. If a student misses key foundational knowledge, it can lead to difficulty in understanding more advanced concepts, which can result in lower grades and lower confidence in the subject.
Furthermore, research has shown that mathematics fluency is strongly linked to annual income for emerging graduates and to lifelong earning potential. According to a report by the Brookings Institution, math skills are a significant predictor of future earnings, with workers who have strong math skills earning significantly more than those who do not. The report notes that the math skills gap has been growing in recent years, with careers in high-skill, high-paying jobs requiring ever-greater levels of mathematical proficiency. According to a report by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, people with strong math skills earn on average $10,000 more per year than those with weak math skills. This earnings differential can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime.
Given the importance of mathematics skills for future success, it is essential that students receive the support they need to remediate any knowledge deficits caused by COVID school closures. Private tutoring can be a particularly effective remedy for these deficits, as it allows students to receive personalized, one-on-one attention from a knowledgeable tutor who can identify their specific areas of weakness and provide targeted instruction to help them catch up. This can be especially important for students who may have missed out on critical foundational knowledge during the disruptions caused by COVID. By investing in private tutoring for students who need it, we can help ensure that they have the tools they need to succeed both in the short-term and in the years to come.
While private tutoring may be an additional expense for families, the long-term benefits of improved academic performance and earning potential make it a wise investment today.
