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In the Italian school system, the role of the tutor teacher is one of the most significant innovations introduced to personalize educational paths and combat school dropout rates. This role becomes even more crucial when it comes to supporting students with Special Educational Needs (SEN). In a school that aims to be increasingly inclusive, the tutor becomes a fundamental point of reference, a bridge between the student, the family, and the teaching staff, with the goal of enhancing each individual’s talents and ensuring informed guidance. This figure embodies the balance between pedagogical tradition, founded on human relationships, and educational innovation, necessary to meet the challenges of a complex society.
The introduction of the tutor teacher, as part of the PNRR reforms, aims to create a learning environment where no one is left behind. For a student with SEN, having a trusted adult to accompany them in discovering their potential can make all the difference. This teacher does not merely provide academic support but acts as a true mentor, helping the student build their life project, taking into account their aspirations and specific needs. The goal is clear: to turn weaknesses into strengths and guide every student toward educational and personal success.
The acronym SEN, for Special Educational Needs, was introduced in Italy by the Ministerial Directive of December 27, 2012. This definition covers a wide range of difficulties, whether permanent or temporary, that can hinder a student’s learning journey. Italian regulations identify three main categories to classify SEN. The first relates to disability, certified under Law 104/92. The second includes Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia, and dyscalculia, governed by Law 170/2010. The third, more diverse category, includes students with socio-economic, linguistic, or cultural disadvantages. Recognizing this diversity is the first step toward a truly inclusive school, one capable of offering personalized, non-standardized responses.
The tutor teacher is, first and foremost, a facilitator and a mediator. Their main task is to establish a relationship of trust with the student, becoming a guide on their educational journey. For students with SEN, this role is amplified: the tutor becomes the architect of a support network involving the entire class council, the special education teacher, the family, and external specialists. Their function is not to teach a specific subject, but to help the student develop self-awareness, recognize their potential, and overcome difficulties. They act as a catalyst for positive energy, with the goal of saving a student’s future, promoting their well-being and full participation in school life.
The tutor teacher’s support is realized through targeted and personalized actions, designed to meet the unique needs of each student with Special Educational Needs. The approach is never generic but is based on listening, observation, and a deep understanding of the documents that define the student’s path. The goal is to transform formal guidelines into effective teaching and educational practices that promote autonomy, self-esteem, and informed guidance for the future.
For students with certified disabilities, the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is the fundamental document that guides all educational actions. Although drafting the IEP is the responsibility of the Operational Working Group for Inclusion (GLO), the tutor teacher is responsible for knowing it thoroughly and actively collaborating in its implementation. Their role is to ensure that the goals and strategies defined in the plan translate into concrete actions in the daily classroom routine. Similarly, for students with SLD or other disadvantages, the reference document is the Personalized Didactic Plan (PDP). Beyond the documents, however, the tutor’s most powerful tool is dialogue: regular meetings with the student are essential to monitor their well-being, understand their difficulties, and celebrate their successes, building a shared path of growth together. To learn more, it is useful to consult the guide on IEP and inclusion: a guide to roles, timelines, and documents.
One of the central goals of the tutor teacher is to help students with SEN discover and develop their talents. This means going beyond the diagnosis and focusing on potential, interests, and passions. The tutor supports the student in building their E-Portfolio, a digital document that collects educational experiences and acquired skills. This tool becomes crucial in the guidance process, as it allows for the creation of a complete and personalized profile. Thanks to targeted support, the student is encouraged to make informed choices for their future, whether it involves continuing their studies or entering the workforce. This approach is part of the broader revolution in school guidance promoted by the PNRR.
The success of the tutor teacher’s actions depends heavily on their ability to collaborate with the other key figures involved with the student with SEN. Inclusion is not an individual task but the result of coordinated teamwork, where each professional contributes their specific expertise. Creating a cohesive and supportive learning environment is only possible through constant dialogue and a shared vision of goals among all stakeholders.
The tutor teacher and the special education teacher are two distinct but deeply complementary figures. The special education teacher is a specialized educator assigned to the class to promote educational inclusion and the autonomy of the student with a disability. Their intervention is primarily focused on teaching methods and the dynamics within the class group. The tutor teacher, on the other hand, has a broader scope: they focus on the student’s life project, guidance, and the relationship with the family and the extracurricular context. Their synergy is fundamental: while the special education teacher works on specific learning aspects, the tutor ensures that these efforts are integrated into a coherent, long-term personal growth path, avoiding overlap and maximizing the effectiveness of interventions.
The tutor teacher acts as a true “director” of communication within the class council. They are responsible for sharing relevant information about the SEN student’s progress with colleagues, ensuring that personalized strategies (contained in the IEP or PDP) are understood and applied by everyone. Equally crucial is the alliance with the family, which is a valuable source of information and support. The tutor maintains an open and constant channel of communication with parents, sharing progress, addressing challenges, and co-designing interventions. This collaboration also extends to discussions with the guidance counselor, another key figure in mapping out the student’s educational and professional future.
The effectiveness of support for students with SEN is based on a dynamic balance between tradition and innovation. On one hand, Mediterranean culture and Italian pedagogical tradition value human connection, warmth, and emotional closeness as pillars of education. The tutor teacher embodies this approach, acting as a mentor who listens and guides. On the other hand, to meet today’s complex needs, it is essential to embrace innovation. The use of assistive technologies, educational software, and digital platforms can transform learning, making it more accessible and personalized. The tutor helps integrate these tools meaningfully, ensuring that technology serves pedagogy and not the other way around. Platforms like the Unified Platform for guidance are an example of how innovation can support the work of teachers and students.
Taking on the role of a tutor teacher for students with SEN involves both challenges and immense opportunities. Key difficulties include the need for specific and ongoing training to handle complex situations, limited available time, and managing sometimes delicate relational dynamics. Initial training, often delivered through online courses, provides the foundation, but it is hands-on experience and continuous professional development that make the difference. However, the opportunities are even greater. Being a point of reference for a student in difficulty, seeing them blossom and gain self-confidence is one of the most rewarding experiences in the teaching profession. This role offers a tangible opportunity to combat school dropout rates, which still show worrying figures in Italy, and to actively contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive school for all.
In conclusion, the tutor teacher stands out as a strategic figure for the inclusion of students with Special Educational Needs. They are not merely a “homework helper” or a substitute for the special education teacher, but a professional in educational relationships who works holistically for the student’s well-being and academic success. Through listening, personalizing paths, and close collaboration with all involved figures, the tutor helps transform difficulties into opportunities for growth. Their work is an investment in the future, a concrete action to combat school dropout and to ensure that every student, with their unique qualities, can feel like the protagonist of their own journey and realize their potential. In a school system that aims to leave no one behind, the tutor teacher is an indispensable pillar for building a truly equitable, supportive, and future-oriented educational community.
The Tutor Teacher, introduced in Italy by Ministerial Decree 63 of April 5, 2023, is tasked with guiding and supporting students with SEN on their path of personal growth and guidance. Unlike other figures, their focus is on helping the student recognize their potential, enhance their talents, and build a personal E-Portfolio. They act as a strategic point of reference for the student and their family, facilitating informed choices for their educational and professional future.
The special education teacher is a specialized educator assigned to the class to promote inclusion, focusing primarily on the teaching and learning aspects for a student with a certified disability. The Tutor Teacher, on the other hand, has a broader, more cross-cutting role: they are not limited to academic support but focus on guidance and the development of personal skills for every student, including those with SEN. While the special education teacher works on educational inclusion, the tutor acts as a mentor for growth and future choices.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of their work. The Tutor Teacher acts as a mediator between the school, the family, and the student, maintaining constant dialogue to share progress and strategies. They liaise with the class council, the special education teacher, and external professionals (such as educational specialists or psychologists) to ensure a coordinated and coherent approach. This teamwork is essential for building a truly personalized and effective educational path.
The main tool is the E-Portfolio, a digital document where the student, guided by the tutor, collects experiences, skills, and reflections on their journey. Other tools include the use of inclusive teaching methods like ‘peer tutoring’ and the use of assistive technologies. The tutor also uses personalized interviews and can contribute to drafting the Personalized Didactic Plan (PDP), ensuring that the strategies align with the student’s guidance objectives.
To become a Tutor Teacher, tenured teachers must participate in specific training programs, such as the 20-hour online courses managed by INDIRE, aimed at developing the necessary skills. Although the basic training is common, a teacher who intends to effectively support students with SEN must supplement these skills with a deep knowledge of inclusive teaching methodologies, regulations on SEN (like Law 170/2010 for SLD), and learning personalization strategies. Previous experience in roles related to inclusion or guidance is considered a preferential requirement.