We’ve launched two new session types on Dojo Tutor: Kindergarten Readiness and Dominio de Inglés (English Mastery).
These sessions are a little different from your usual trial classes. Families are signing up for a professional assessment of their child’s skills and a personalized report with recommendations, so it’s important to follow the guidance below.
What makes these sessions different from a trial
These are assessments, not trials. The goal is to evaluate where the child is today, not to preview tutoring or encourage the family to subscribe.
We ask that you keep these key differences in mind:
| Trial class | Assessment session |
| Introduces the learner to tutoring | Evaluates the learner’s current skills |
| May include a recommendation to continue tutoring | Focuses on gathering learning insights |
| Uses the usual trial class flow | Uses the assessment guidance for that subject |
| Uses the standard post-session process | Requires a specific assessment form after class |
Important reminders
For every assessment session:
- Do not try to convert families to a subscription during or after the session. That’s not what they signed up for, and our team will handle follow-up separately.
- Do not call it a trial in conversation with the family, with the child, or anywhere else. Please call it an assessment.
- Fill out the assessment form after each session. This is different from your usual post-session notes and is required for this program.
What the session should look like
Your role in these sessions is to evaluate, not teach a regular tutoring lesson.
Spend the time getting a clear picture of the child’s current skills, including their strengths, gaps, and what kind of support may help them most.
The session should feel:
- Warm
- Encouraging
- Low-pressure
- Age-appropriate
- Focused on observation and assessment
Families are trusting you with something they care a lot about, so help the child feel comfortable and supported throughout the session.
Assessments for Kindergarten Readiness
Kindergarten Readiness sessions help families understand whether their child is building the early skills that support a strong start in kindergarten.
During the session, focus on the skills listed in the subject, including:
- Letter sounds
- Letter names
- Counting
- Shapes
- Colors
- Early reading
- Early math
You should also observe the child’s social-emotional readiness, including how they:
- Engage during the session
- Follow directions
- Respond to activities
- Handle transitions or challenges
- Stay focused or participate with support
The goal is not to make the child feel tested. Keep the session fun, gentle, and encouraging while gathering helpful observations.
Assessments for Dominio del Inglés (English Proficiency)
Dominio del Inglés sessions help families understand their child’s English language skills and what kind of support may help them continue growing.
During the session, evaluate the child across four skill areas:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
Note where the child is strongest and where the biggest gaps appear.
If the family communicates in Spanish, feel free to use Spanish to build rapport and help the family feel comfortable. However, the assessment itself should be conducted in English so you can accurately evaluate the child’s English skills.
After the session
Please complete the assessment form as soon as possible after the session, while your observations are still fresh.
Your input is the foundation of the report the family receives, so the more specific and thoughtful you are, the more helpful the report will be.
Your feedback may include:
- Skills the learner demonstrated confidently
- Skills that need more practice
- How the learner engaged during the session
- Areas where the learner may benefit from support
- Any helpful context about the learner’s confidence, focus, or participation
Please do not reach out to the family directly about next steps or recommendations. Our team will send the report and handle any follow-up.
Best practices for assessment notes
Strong assessment notes are:
- Specific: Share clear observations from the session.
- Balanced: Include both strengths and opportunities for growth.
- Family-friendly: Use language that is easy for families to understand.
- Supportive: Avoid language that could feel discouraging or overly clinical.
- Actionable: Focus on what may help the learner move forward.
What should I do if a parent asks whether their child has dyslexia, ADHD, or another learning difference?
Tutors should not diagnose, suggest a diagnosis, or confirm whether a child may have a specific condition. Assessments on Dojo Tutor are meant to understand a child’s current academic skills and tutoring needs, not to provide medical, psychological, or diagnostic evaluations.
If a parent asks about dyslexia, ADHD, autism, anxiety, or another learning difference, tutors should kindly redirect them to a qualified professional while sharing only what they observed academically.
You can say:
“I’m not able to diagnose or assess for conditions like dyslexia or ADHD, but I can share what I noticed during today’s session. If you have concerns about a learning difference, I recommend speaking with your child’s school, pediatrician, or a licensed specialist.”
Questions?
If anything comes up during or after an assessment session that you’re not sure how to handle, please reach out to our support team. We’ll help you sort it out.