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Tutoring FAQ

What is Orton-Gillingham? What is multisensory learning? You have questions. Brainspring has answers.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Brainspring Learning Centers and the services provided. If you have additional questions please call 800-732-3211 or contact the Brainspring team here.

What is multisensory learning.?

Multisensory learning is the activity involving simultaneous, multiple sensory pathways: this includes visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic.
What is Orton-Gillingham?

Orton-Gillingham is a multisensory learning approach often associated with one-on-one teacher to student instruction. Orton-Gillingham is best used to assist students with difficulty in reading, writing, and/or spelling, and thus can be very successful for those with dyslexia. Click here.
How long does a student need to attend tutoring?

The length of tutoring depends on many factors including the age of the student, whether or not the student has a learning disability, the amount of difficulty the student is experiencing, and the student’s current skill level. We progress at the individual’s pace, so one student may be able to learn multiple skills in one session while another student may need two sessions to master one skill. Most Brainspring students attend tutoring for approximately 9-12 months. However, students with severe learning disabilities may need on-going academic support.
Who will tutor my student?

At Brainspring, students are paired with the same tutor each week. Tutors are selected very carefully to meet the needs of each individual student. Brainspring works with degreed professionals in teaching related fields who are highly qualified, experienced and passionate.
What types of students do you tutor?

Brainspring students are of all ages and skill levels including those with or without a learning disability. Tutors are trained in successful approaches to both remediate learning difficulties and to offer enrichment to students that are not struggling.
Does the Brainspring multisensory learning approach help students with dyslexia?

Yes. The Brainspring nationally accredited Phonics First® reading program is based on the Orton-Gillingham methodology and was specifically designed to address the needs of students who are dyslexic or otherwise learning disabled.
How is progress measured?

Brainspring programs are designed to be diagnostic in nature. Tutors continually monitor progress through observations, skill assessment and progress reporting. Parents receive updates after every session and a more formal discussion about their child’s progress can be scheduled at any time. We also believe it is important to contact other professionals who have worked with the student, including teachers, psychologists, etc. when provided permission to do so.
How much does tutoring cost?

Most Brainspring students attend tutoring 1-3 times per week. However, many other options are available. Clients are billed monthly for tutoring. There are no contracts. For those attending for remediation, we recommend a minimum of twice per week. There is a one-time registration fee, and we offer an optional assessment as well. For online students, there is a materials fee. Please contact us for pricing options.
What makes Brainspring different from other tutoring programs?
- One-on-one instruction is provided in a private setting - which is ideal for those with ADHD.
- Tutoring is available in all subject areas.
- Brainspring’s Orton-Gillingham based reading curriculum, Phonics First, is one of the few accredited programs in the United States designed specifically for dyslexic and struggling readers.
- All Brainspring tutors are degreed professionals and are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of additional reading training in order to meet the needs of students with different learning styles.
- Multisensory teaching techniques are used; tutoring is not worksheet based.
- Brainspring works as a team. When a student begins a Brainspring program, they are not only receiving the expertise and support of the tutor, but also the Center Director and the Director of Tutoring.
- Brainspring has been serving children in the Metro Detroit area since 1991.
Can Brainspring help a student with homework?

Aside from providing specialized remedial instruction, Brainspring is also able to provide homework support. Be it Algebra II or Physics, Brainspring tutors have the expertise and experience to assist in all subject areas.
Can Brainspring provide Homeschooling support?

For information about Brainspring Homeschooling support, click here.

Ready to get started??

The path to creating a master learner starts with a simple call to determine how Brainspring can help your student. Give us a call at 800-732-3211 or contact us here and we will discuss the process with you.

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"Our students showed remarkable progress and our M-STEP state reading scores jumped from 56.2 to 82.5 after only 3 months of Phonics First® Academic Advantage On-site Tutoring. I would highly recommend it to any [urban] school wishing to make significant gains in student reading ability. No school should be without it!."

Steve Christian, Assistant Principal

Fleming Elementary, Detroit, MI

"The Monday I returned from the CEC Convention I immediately started doing core words, which cannot be decoded using "spelling on the arm". I was totally amazed! ... I will stay in touch and keep you apprised of the successes we have!"

Kris Kenna, Academic Support Teacher

Central Manor Elementary

"The most common feedback we received is that teachers wished that they have been trained by Brainspring before starting their educational journey."

Erica Keen, K-12 District Dyslexia Coordinator

Arkansas Virtual Academy

"Not only did our students continue to advance in their reading skills as evidenced by a full year’s growth, but 39% of our students made more than one year’s progress in reading."

Jeanine Cyrwus, Director of Outreach & Literacy

Oakwood School

"Feedback from teachers after implementation has been very positive. Since switching to Phonics First, teachers felt like their instruction has been better and they have seen student growth."

Tracy Hinty, Supervision of Federal Programs

Rockbridge County Public Schools

"Thank you for creating such an excellent and diligent phonics program. If schools and families implemented this program to children at a young age, there would not be such a reading epidemic across our nation. Phonics truly is the answer!"

Trained Educator

"I wish I would have found Phonics First earlier in my teaching career. Our students across the country would be stronger readers and writers if a balanced program such as Phonics First was being implemented."

Trained Educator

"I loved this training and can’t wait to get started with my students!"

Trained Educator

"I strongly believe after completing this training that EVERY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TEACHER should have this!!! Our student reading success would improve if all teachers knew how to teach this material."

Trained Educator

"I learned so much. I now have complete confidence in using the program and teaching the material. I can now implement the material as it was designed. Thank you for a great week!"

Trained Educator

"I feel like I’ve learned more from this PD than any PD I’ve participated in before!"

Trained Educator

"Awesome training. It was my first exposure to Structures, and it is fabulous! I am recommending that each of our elementaries has at least one interventionist trained to use with our 5th and 6th grade struggling readers! Thank you!"

Trained Educator

"I have been hoping for this type of instruction since I have been back in the classroom! The push in many elementary schools is comprehension when children cannot write or read fluently. So excited to move forward with Phonics First! Thank you!!!"

Trained Educator

"Our trainer was amazing. She was so knowledgeable about the program and was able to share real world examples. She was also incredibly helpful with answering everyone’s specific questions."

Trained Educator