A Guide for Finding a Tutor
By: Partnership For Learning (2006)
Private
Includes friends, neighbors, peers, classroom teachers.
Benefits
- One-on-one attention
- Strong personal relationship
- Better understanding of child's needs
- Can be very affordable, even free
Challenge
- Quality can vary
- Finding a good match takes time
- If tutor is sick, child misses a session
Cost
- Ranges from $0 for peer tutors and neighborhood centers to $75/hour for highly skilled chemistry and math tutors. Expect to pay $20-$70/ hour
Tips
- Ask your child's teacher for suggestions
- Ask friends and co-workers for referrals
- Always interview tutors to make sure they fit your child's personality and need
Tutoring Centers
Includes national names like Sylvan Learning centers, Kumon Math and Reading Centers, Huntington Learning Centers; look for local centers also.
Benefits
- Use objective tests to pinpoint child's strengths and weaknesses
- More than one tutor available if your child's tutor is sick
- Usually hire highly trained and certified teachers
Challenge
- Tutors work with groups of 3-5 students
- Family can't choose a specific tutor
- Cost is high
Cost
- Up to $150/week, with payments expected weekly or monthly
- Most accept credit cards
- Some offer financing or scholarship programs
Tips
- Ask if the center will communicate with the child's teacher
- Make sure the center's philosophy matches yours
Online Tutors
Includes homework help sites, one-to-one tutoring, and step-by-step software.
Benefits
- Can be fit into your schedule without leaving home
- Can make learning more fun
- Appeals to kids with interest in technology
Challenge
- Little or no mentoring relationship formed
- No personal assessment of student needs or progress
- No contact with classroom teacher
Cost
- Free for homework help sites, such as MathNerds.com
- Subscription services run about $100/month
- $20-$50 per session for human tutors
Tips
- Make sure to get as much information as possible from the online tutor
- Monitor your child's work to see if he's learning or just having fun
No Child Left Behind
Free Title I Supplemental Services
Benefits
- Free to qualifying families
- Highly qualified tutors
- Will work closely with classroom teachers
Challenge
- Child's school must be identified as needing improvement
- If supply or funding is limited, only the most needy students qualify
- Limited to services approved by the state
Cost
- Free to families in Title I schools that fail to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for three or more years
Tips
- Ask your school's principal or Title I coordinator if you qualify
- Or contact the U.S. Dept. of Education at 888-814-NCLB; http://nochildleftbehind.gov
Under copyright by Partnership For Learning, a national award-winning nonprofit at www.PartnershipForLearning.org. Reprinted with permission.