Is it Tutor Time? Try These 6 Tips for Finding the Right Tutor

If your child needs help, burying your head in the sand or delaying the problem won’t fix matters. Get your child the help she needs with a qualified tutor.  Tutors can help your child improve grades in general, prepare for important standardized tests, or simply work through issues related to one specific subject. When done properly,  a good tutoring experience can boost your child’s grades and her self esteem. Follow these 6 tips to make sure the tutor is the right fit for you, your child and your child’s learning style.

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2. 1.  Do your research. Tanice Reddae M.Ed., a fourth grade teacher in Columbus City, OH and a past Huntington Learning Center Tutor, suggests that parents research local tutoring services and programs and ask for referrals from teachers, friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find great tutors or tutoring programs, she says.  And don’t forget to check with the school to see if there are any tutoring programs being held over the summer or other school breaks.
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4. 2.  Check the Internet. Some websites offer tutor directories, connecting students with local tutors or teachers specializing in one-on-one academic assistance. For those who are unable to find a tutor near home, or whose schedules make attending sessions difficult, some companies offer one-on-one tutoring online. While some are simply live question and answer sessions, others incorporate audio and visual technology to make communicating easier than ever. Check out Tutor Find to see what services are offered in your area for the summer.  This program offers 10 hours of private in home tutoring for $550 per subject.
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6. 3.  Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask any prospective tutor plenty of questions and ask for references. You should ask a prospective tutor what learning styles their methods are best suited for. And ask if he or she can be contacted with questions outside of scheduled sessions if your child is having a particularly difficult time with an assignment.
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8. 4.  Assess first.  “Parents should make sure the tutoring program or individual tutor is assessing your child first before setting them up on a tutoring plan. And make sure there are periodic reviews to monitor the child's progress,” suggests Reddae.
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10. 5.  During the summer there are certified teachers who tutor students for reasonable fees. Check local Craigslist listings for certified teachers in your area who offer tutoring services. Teachers’ certification(s) can be validated on state education websites.
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12. 6.  Keep checking in. Check in with the tutor to make sure things are going well. Check in with your child to make sure he is comfortable and in understanding lessons more clearly.  If there isn’t any improvement in a reasonable amount of time, start the tutor search process again.