This paper studies the effects of large-scale online tutoring programs on students’ academic performance and socio-emotional skills. Using experimental and quasi-experimental evidence, the authors examine how remote tutoring interventions influence cognitive outcomes, such as test scores, as well as noncognitive outcomes, including motivation and soft skills. The findings show that online tutoring can generate significant learning gains and improvements in students’ attitudes toward learning, particularly for disadvantaged students, while also highlighting heterogeneity in impacts across contexts and program designs. The results inform education policy debates on the scalability and effectiveness of digital learning interventions.

Citations

Carlana, Michela, and Eliana La Ferrara. 2025. “Apart but Connected: Online Tutoring, Cognitive Outcomes, and Soft Skills.” American Economic Review 115 (10): 3487–3513. October 2025. DOI:10.1257/aer.20240401.