At 826, we know that great leaps in learning happen when students have the individualized support of positive adult tutors and mentors, especially when it comes to improving writing. Research has long shown that receiving individualized attention and building positive relationships with adult mentors contribute to students’ overall academic success, social and emotional growth, and planning for the future, which is why it has been one of 826’s key programmatic tenets since our founding.
This new report dives into current external research on the benefits of individualized support, alongside the proof points of 826’s own data, to show the power of and need for individualized support for students. It also shares 826’s best practices so that these impactful individualized support practices can reach more students and classrooms. The benefits of these relationships go far beyond improving a student’s writing skills, and yet, in our recent survey of 1,006 students nationwide, only 45% of students report they have a mentor relationship for schoolwork aside from their teacher or an immediate family member. Throughout this report, you’ll find case studies highlighting firsthand experiences of students, volunteers, and alumni from across the 826 Network.