Sylvan Learning Doubles Down on Franchise Development to Meet Growing Demand for Supplemental Education as Student Test Scores Hit Record Lows

Sylvan Learning, a leading provider of supplemental and enrichment education for students in grades K–12 with more than 710 points of presence worldwide, works to expand its network as student test scores hit record lows.

“The most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress report, often referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, has revealed worrisome trends among students nationwide,” explained Emily Mitchell, VP of education at Sylvan. “Now more than ever, America’s students need support. Our current drive for expansion will allow us to establish additional qualified Sylvan Learning professionals to meet the demand of in-need students.”

According to the most recent NAEP data, 25% of fourth graders scored below standard in math — the lowest average scores since 2005. For eighth graders, this number was 38%, rendering the lowest scores since 2003. 30 states and jurisdictions showed significant score drops on fourth-grade reading assessments, and 33 states and jurisdictions experienced a significant decrease in eighth-grade reading scores.

Another standardized assessment, the NWEA’s MAP test, indicates that students across the country will need three to five years to recover to pre-pandemic academic performance.

High-dosage, personalized tutoring has been named as one of the most effective ways to support students as they work to regain this ground. This model of academic support aligns with what Sylvan offers, making the concept a great fit to serve communities as they work to catch up. 

Better yet, Sylvan’s proven methods have been shown to deliver up to three times more academic growth compared to students who are not enrolled at Sylvan. This increase comes within the first 24 sessions of tutoring — far less than an entire school year.

“Students nationwide have fallen behind, and Sylvan is a top provider of the sort of academic support they need to move forward,” said Jeff Stephenson, VP of franchise development at Sylvan. “As such, we are working diligently to bring new Sylvan locations to communities across the country; our goal is to add approximately 50 units by the end of 2024. The demand exists; we simply need to meet it.”

The pedagogy embraced at Sylvan includes personalized learning plans, dedicated one-on-one time with educators and schedules that allow students to move at their own pace. Though these methods have long been proven, serving as a key driver behind the brand’s decades of proven results, they will be especially important in the context of addressing COVID-related learning loss.

“COVID-19 disrupted our classrooms, and the subsequent changes impacted each student uniquely,” Mitchell explained. “While students are largely behind, each child needs a specific type of support. By testing to ensure students are appropriately placed and checking for mastery of prerequisite skills prior to moving forward, Sylvan supports students as they ‘catch up’ in an effective, equitable way.”

As Sylvan works to reach its goal of approximately 50 additional units, it is focused specifically on territories in California, New York, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

To learn more about Sylvan franchise opportunities, visit www.sylvanfranchise.com.

ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING:

With more than 40 years of experience and more than 710 points of presence, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K–12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan’s proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE — STEM and accelerated courses and Sylvan Prep — college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey. Sylvan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franchise Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRG).  For more information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com.