A specialized resource for students whose effort isn’t turning into results.
You support families through complex educational decisions. The Pinpoint Method helps when a capable student is working hard, underperforming, and the reason is not yet clear.
It gives families a deeper understanding of what is driving the performance gap and what kind of support is most likely to help, so the next step is based on evidence rather than guesswork.
The Pinpoint Method is not college counseling, but it can make the college process clearer. When students address their roadblocks earlier, they are better positioned to strengthen their academic profile, prepare for high-stakes tests, and enter the next stage with strategies they can actually use.
The student whose effort isn't adding up.
The Pinpoint Method is for motivated students from middle school up whose grades, test scores, or academic performance don't reflect how hard they're working. Families come to me when they've tried reasonable interventions and still feel like something isn't clicking — but they can't identify what.
I work with students from middle school up. Wherever they are in their academic journey, the Pinpoint Method can help when effort, preparation, and outcomes are not lining up and the family does not yet have a clear explanation for why.
IECs refer students when:
Diagnostic clarity that complements your advising.
The Pinpoint Method sits upstream of many educational planning decisions. It helps families understand what is actually driving a student’s performance gap before they invest in more tutoring, more test prep, a different school plan, or another layer of support.
The earlier a student understands and addresses the roadblocks getting in the way of their performance, the more time they have to build the strongest academic profile they can.
For students approaching demanding coursework, high-stakes tests, or future educational transitions, that clarity can make the difference between reacting late and preparing with a targeted plan. Consultants can use those findings to make the rest of the advising process sharper and more grounded, while remaining the trusted center of the relationship.
What I offer
A structured diagnostic engagement, including assessments, two in-depth sessions, and a comprehensive written report, that identifies the specific barriers holding a student back and translates them into a targeted, research-backed plan.
Learn more about the Pinpoint Method →How it fits alongside your work
It gives families and consultants a clearer picture of what the student needs, so decisions about coursework, test preparation, tutoring, school planning, and the path ahead can be better informed.
Three ways to get started.
Whether you have a student in mind right now or just want to learn more, there's a low-friction path for wherever you are.
Refer a Student
You have a student in mind right now. Fill out a short form with the basics — I'll reach out to the family within 48 hours and keep you in the loop throughout.
Book a Call with Dr. Daker
Want to learn more before making a referral? Let's talk through the Pinpoint Method, your practice, and whether there's a fit between what we each do.
Sign Up for Updates
Get occasional updates about the Pinpoint Method — new resources for consultants, case examples, and notes on the science of learning and performance.
Interested in exploring a partnership?
I work closely with a small group of educational consultants who support capable students whose effort isn’t turning into results.
Partners receive a streamlined referral process, priority scheduling for referred families, and clear communication throughout the Pinpoint Method process, along with a meaningful benefit for the families themselves.
As a partner, you can offer your clients exclusive access to a complimentary 30 Minutes with a Learning Scientist consultation with Dr. Daker. Families get a focused, personalized look at the factors that may be holding their child back.
Families referred by partners also receive preferred access and special partner pricing if they choose to pursue the full Pinpoint Method for deeper analysis and a personalized action plan. But every family walks away with more clarity, better questions to ask, and a stronger sense of what their student may need next.
Together, we give families what they rarely get from any one source alone: expert guidance on where the student is headed academically, and expert insight into what may be affecting their performance along the way. Your work helps families navigate coursework, admissions, and next steps with confidence. Mine helps them understand and address the learning, testing, and performance barriers that can shape a student’s academic record.
Combined, that means clearer decisions, better-targeted support, less stress for families, and a stronger path forward for the student.
For select partners, I’m also open to creating more integrated offerings that combine admissions guidance with learning and performance insight, giving families coordinated support when they need it most.
If you think the Pinpoint Method could be a helpful resource for the students you support, please get in touch!
Talk About Partnership →Tell me about your student.
Fill out the short form below. I'll reach out to the family within 48 hours and copy you when I do so you stay in the loop.
Questions? Let's talk.
I'm happy to connect with any IEC who's curious about the Pinpoint Method — whether you have a student in mind or just want to understand how this fits alongside your practice.
Let's ConnectRich Daker, PhD, is a learning scientist and expert in the psychology and neuroscience of learning and performance. He earned summa cum laude honors at Princeton University, completed his PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience at Georgetown University, and has led research for Google. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific articles on the science of learning and performance and is the founder of Pinpoint Learning.
Dr. Daker developed the Pinpoint Method to bring a scientific approach to helping individual students perform at the level they are capable of. He lives in Chicago and works with families across the country.