Finding the Right Fit
Experts agree that the most important thing to consider when hiring a tutor is your child's individual needs. Here is a checklist to help when deciding which tutor to hire:
Where is your child struggling? If your goal is to improve grades in one or two classes at school for a short period, then a private tutor is a great choice. If your child consistently tests low on standardized tests, has always received poor grades, or does not work to his or her potential, then a tutor or learning center that focuses on reteaching skills and filling skill gaps is the better answer.
Always consider that learning is usually based on a building block approach. If a child hasn't mastered one level or block of knowledge, then he will struggle with the next step. Dr. Pastorok says, "You want a center that offers more than a quick fix, one that will help to fill fundamental skills gaps, which may take time. But this will help them in the future."
"When there are skill gaps like that," says Collins, "a private in-home tutor will probably be just a Band-Aid on the big open wound, so to speak. We test to find out exactly what the problem is." Initial diagnostic testing is another thing to ask your tutor or center about. Some require it and charge a fee, others will do their own independent testing, and some may be willing to go with testing results from school.Does noise or other activity easily distract your child? "If they're easily distracted," says David, "then one-on-one is important."What is the tutor-to-student ratio? Most tutoring programs will say they are "individualized," but this doesn't always mean one teacher to one student. While the three-to-one ratio of some centers is often very effective, consider your child's needs first. Krentz, who also taught at a learning center says, "At my center, there were different age levels with the same tutor, and that can be intimidating to some kids."What is the tutor's track record and background? Most agree that certified teachers are the best choices. Also, ask for references. Norland at Sylvan says, "I'm very careful of who I hire. It's got to be somebody who has that caring attitude."What is your budget? Prices vary greatly (from $20 to $50 per hour session), with independent tutors usually charging less than a learning center or service.What is your family's schedule? Tutoring services like Club Z can often assist in finding a tutor who can come at the times that fit into your day. With others, session times may be limited by center hours and work schedules.
