Fundamental to everything Learning Matters does is fluency; Learning Matters goes beyond what a tutor or tutoring service will offer a struggling student. For example, if students are not fluent in math addition or subtraction facts, they cannot perform multiplication or division. Students who are not fluent in multiplication or division facts cannot possibly perform algebra. And so it goes all the way down to students who cannot recognize individual numbers or symbols. Asking a child who is not fluent in lower-level math skills to perform upper-level math work will do nothing but frustrate and deject a young, struggling learner.

The same fluency deficits also arise in reading and comprehension skills. Students who are not fluent in letter sounds cannot succeed in reading. Yet these students are being asked to read at "grade level" with no regard for the fact that they are missing basic underlying fluency in letter and letter combination sounds. Another common example of fluency deficits in reading and comprehension occurs when a student can recognize individual letter sounds but cannot combine all the letters into recognizable words. If such deficits are not identified and addressed, the student will continue to struggle with one of life's most basic skills, reading.

At Learning Matters, we understand that each student is unique. We work with them to overcome their fluency struggles. We start with comprehensive testing to determine their base fluency levels and identify any gaps in their understanding. Once we've pinpointed these areas, we craft personalized programs for each student, targeting their specific challenges. As they gain fluency at lower levels, they progress to the next, building knowledge and confidence along the way.