The extra attention and emotional support may help fill important psychological needs for children from troubled or single-parent families. Research has demonstrated that with proper training, students can successfully tutor other students. Peer tutoring occurs when tutor and tutee are the same age. In cross-age tutoring, the tutor is older than the tutee. However, sometimes the term peer tutoring is used to include both types.
Successful programs take many forms.
Three programs serve to illustrate the wide range of configurations possible. The Willamette High School Peer Tutoring Program seeks to improve the academic performance of at-risk ninth graders. This program in Eugene, Oregon, selects academically strong students as tutors and gives them academic credit for training classes and tutoring. Tutors, who are the program's primary focus, are paid as well as given academic credit. The Companion Reading Program was developed by Brigham Young University Professor Grant Harrison for levels K-3 and higher.