If your child receives funding through Florida’s Step Up for Students scholarship program, you may be trying to identify the best way to help them during the summer. Many parents often wonder:
Can Step Up for Students be used for summer tutoring?
The answer is yes, absolutely! Summer is a great time to use your child’s Step Up funds for tutoring, since it is a season when many students experience academic learning loss, but there are certain rules and guidelines you’ll need to follow.
This article will explain how summer tutoring works with Step Up funding, which services are covered, and how to use these funds in the best way possible to help your child continue to develop their academic skills over the summer and prevent the summer slide.
Step Up for Students summer tutoring in Florida
Step Up for Students funds can be used for summer tutoring in Florida, and it is a great way to use your child’s funds. However, the tutor you choose must be an approved Step Up tutoring provider and the services must meet the program requirements.
Why is summer tutoring important?
Summer is a critical time for students, especially for those who have learning or attentional challenges.
- Without consistent learning over the summer, many students face:
- Academic learning loss, also known as the summer slide
- Reduced motivation
- Challenges transitioning back to the new school year in the fall
With Step Up for Students summer tutoring in Florida, your child can continue learning over the summer, prevent the summer slide, and start the new school year on a positive note.
Which types of summer tutoring are covered by Step Up scholarships?
Your child’s Step Up funds can be used for various types of tutoring services during the summer, including one-on-one academic tutoring to develop their skills in:
- Reading
- Spelling
- Writing
- Math
- Executive functioning
- Test preparation
Specialized academic support
- Dyslexia tutoring
- ADHD tutoring
- Autism tutoring
- Orton Gillingham instruction
- Executive functioning coaching
- Learning disabilities instruction
Read more about Orton Gillingham tutoring at What Is Orton Gillingham Tutoring? A Guide for Parents
Homeschooling
- Structured homeschool learning plans
- Curriculum tools and materials
- One-on-one teaching to support your child’s homeschool program
Before you select a tutor for your child using Step Up funds, make sure the tutor or tutoring program is a Step Up approved provider.
Read more about Step Up for Students tutoring at
https://knowledgeplustutoring.com/how-to-use-step-up-scholarships-for-students-with-learning-challenges-in-florida/
Step Up requirements for summer tutoring
When choosing a tutor for your child, make sure you note the following Step Up rules:
1. The tutor must be a Step Up approved tutoring provider
You can only use your child’s Step Up funds for summer tutoring in Florida if the tutor is authorized through Step Up for Students.
2. Services must be educational
You can’t just choose any type of instructor for your child. Your child’s Step Up for Students summer tutoring sessions need to emphasize:
- Academic skills development, including reading, writing, or math
- Learning goals
- Academic progress
3. Step Up payment guidelines
When paying tutors, you can’t:
- Pay tutors outside of the approved system and rules
- Neglect to provide the required documentation
How to use Step Up funds for summer tutoring
If you are looking for a summer tutor for your child using Step Up funds, here is how you can get started:
1. Plan early
Start looking for a Step Up for Students summer tutor in Florida for your child as soon as possible. Many tutors, especially those who work with neurodiverse students or specialize in specific multi-sensory techniques, such as Orton Gillingham, fill up quickly. The earlier you search for and identify a summer tutor for your child, the more likely you will find the ideal fit for them.
2. Set goals
You know your child’s profile, areas of academic challenge, and how they have been performing in school. Based on this information, decide what your child needs most:
- Foundational skills building
- Reading, writing, or math enrichment
- Filling in academic gaps
- Executive functioning development
- Improved focus
- Increased self-esteem and motivation
3. Choose the right summer tutor for your child
When searching for an ideal summer tutor for your child, look for:
- Expertise in working with students like your child, including those with ADHD, autism, or learning disabilities
- A tutor who uses evidence-based techniques
- A tutor who uses a multi-sensory approach
- One-on-one instruction
4. Create a consistent schedule
During the summer, consistency is key. Try to set up regular weekly sessions for your child to maximize their progress and ask the tutor for work your child can do in between the tutoring sessions to reinforce the lessons taught.
Read more about using Step Up scholarships for summer tutoring at Does Florida’s Step Up Scholarship Cover Tutoring Services?
How much tutoring should my child receive during the summer?
The frequency of summer tutoring varies based on your child’s needs and overall profile. Some students need only 1-2 sessions per week while others with more severe challenges may need daily or almost daily sessions to maximize their improvement.
In-home or virtual summer tutoring
Certain children respond best to in-person tutoring sessions, while others prefer virtual tutoring. Both modalities can work well with Step Up funding. Each option has its advantages:
In-home tutoring
- Hands-on, multi-sensory tools can easily be integrated
- Comfortable environment
- Face-to-face interactions help with rapport building
Virtual tutoring
- More flexible scheduling
- Access to specialized tutors who may not be available in your local area
- Convenient option that eliminates travel time
The modality that works best for your child depends on their individual profile and learning needs. Some families choose a hybrid model, which combines in-person and virtual tutoring.
Are you looking for summer tutoring with Step Up funds?
Knowledge Plus Tutoring is a Step Up for Students approved provider that offers individualized summer tutoring programs for students throughout Florida.
We specialize in:
- Reading, writing, and math tutoring using research-based, multi-sensory techniques
- ADHD tutoring
- Executive functioning coaching
- Dyslexia tutoring
- Orton Gillingham instruction
- Specialized learning disability support
- Summer tutoring for students with IEPs and 504 Plans
Read more about the importance of summer tutoring for students with learning disabilities and ADHD at
https://knowledgeplustutoring.com/why-summer-tutoring-is-important-for-students-with-adhd-and-learning-disabilities/
We provide in-home tutoring throughout Florida, as well as virtual tutoring nationwide. Contact us today about creating an individualized summer tutoring plan for your child.
Closing thoughts
As you plan your child’s summer schedule and activities, start to think about summer tutoring for them. To answer the question: Can Step Up for Students be used for summer tutoring? Yes, and it’s one of the best ways you can use your child’s Step Up funds to help them continue developing their academic skills, prevent the summer slide, and help them start the new school year feeling confident and prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Tutoring Using Step Up Funds
Can Step Up funds be used during the summer?
Yes! Step Up funds can absolutely be used during the summer, and summer is a great time for your child to continue developing their academic skills and prevent any regression with one-on-one tutoring.
Is summer tutoring helpful for students with IEPs or 504 Plans?
Yes! Most students benefit from summer tutoring, but students with IEPs or 504 Plans generally need continued support over the summer to prevent learning loss and continue their academic skills development. The right one-on-one tutoring can help your child feel confident and prepared for the new school year.
Can I use Step Up funds for multiple services in the summer?
Yes. Many families use their child’s Step Up funds for a variety of services over the summer, including one-on-one tutoring, academic materials, and other educational programs and services.
Dr. Emily Levy, the executive director of Knowledge Plus Tutoring, has been helping students with specialized learning needs through one-on-one tutoring for over twenty years. She holds her Doctorate Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She frequently appears as an educational expert on podcasts and speaks at national educational conferences. Dr. Levy is the author of the Strategies for Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series, all of which are used by students and schools nationwide.
