By Eileen Kanter
Q: What qualities should I look for in a tutor?
A: Many tutors are certified teachers who are supplementing their salary. They may also be college students earning their teaching degree. The key to finding the right person for your child is to look for an individual whose training, personality, energy level, educational philosophy and proven success record meet the needs and goals you have for your child.
Q: What do tutoring services cost?
A: Tutoring rates vary and are based on one or more of the following reasons:
— The number of times per week your child is tutored and the length of each session
— The subject area being tutored. A tutor working with your child on chemistry will usually charge more than someone teaching a child the concept of addition.
— If the tutor comes to your home instead of taking your child to their place of business
— If you hire a tutoring center or have your son/daughter taught by a private tutor
— If your child is tutored in a small group setting verses a one-on-one setting
— Some tutoring centers and private instructors charge an assessment fee. This payment is in addition to your regular tutoring fee and a one-time assessment in most cases.
Q: When hiring a tutor, can I ask for references?
A: Absolutely! It is one of the best ways to find out if the educator or tutoring center you are considering is the right fit for your child.
Q: When should I see results from my child’s tutoring?
A: Seeing tangible results can vary, but will probably not occur immediately. All children learn at different rates. Once their learning style is targeted, a qualified tutor will customize lessons to meet your child’s needs. They can also give parents helpful tips in working with their son/daughter each day to solidify a deeper level of learning. Tutoring more than once a week, can expedite results, but there is still no guarantee.
Q: If I hire a tutor to work with my child, will I still need to help my child with their homework?
A: Yes, tutors and parents need to work together to encourage success. A tutor can provide strategies to use when working with your child.
Q: Is it better to have my child tutored at our house or outside of our home?
A: The No. 1 reason parents hire tutors to come to their homes is convenience. However, convenience does not increase your child’s learning potential. A child that is easily distracted will have trouble focusing during a learning session in their home. Parents cannot always control the phone ringing, siblings arguing, family members and pets wandering, etc. The more distractions, the less likely your son/daughter will be able to focus and receive the maximum benefit of working with a tutor in a one-on-one setting. If you know your child is not easily distracted and/or you can control the atmosphere in the house, home tutoring might be an option.
Q: When do I know that my child is ready to discontinue tutoring?
A: That decision should be made between the parent, tutor and classroom teacher. A student should be showing consistent progress in the classroom that can be measured by the tutor and the classroom teacher before ending teaching sessions.
