This is the time of year, with the arrival of first semester grade reports, when many parents discover their child might need a little extra homework help. Thankfully, there are some steps families can take to make sure the second half of the school year brings better news. Know Your Child If your child seems to [...]

This is the time of year, with the arrival of first semester grade reports, when many parents discover their child might need a little extra homework help. Thankfully, there are some steps families can take to make sure the second half of the school year brings better news.

Know Your Child
If your child seems to be trying and working hard, but is still struggling in school, it may be time to find a tutor. Don’t rush the decision, though. There are many types of tutors to choose from. The key is researching the options and finding the best fit for your child.

First, talk with your child’s teacher and find out what he or she needs. Many kids require only a little extra attention and homework support. Some students need help with organization and study skills. Others need re-teaching to fill in the things they missed in previous years. And occasionally, a student requires intensive instruction and specialized strategies to overcome learning disabilities. Knowing what your child needs will help guide you toward the right tutor.

Know Your Options
Tutoring comes in several formats, including a few of these popular choices:

• Private Tutors–The most common type of tutoring, a private tutor works one-on-one with your child, either at home or in a convenient place, such as the school or a library. While the personal attention is great, private tutoring can be pricey (most families can expect to pay between $10 to $50 per hour) and finding a good tutor can be a challenge. Ask a teacher for recommendations or check with local colleges. References from other parents are a good way to narrow your search. But remember that just because a tutor was right for their child doesn’t mean he will be right for yours.

• Tutoring Centers–Centers often use objective tests to find out each student’s strengths and weaknesses. The program can be taught by any of the center’s employees, so your child won’t miss a session because his tutor is sick. On the down side, families can’t choose a specific tutor to work with, and tutors generally work with three to five students at the same time, so their attention will be divided. A family can expect to pay up to $150 per week for services at a tutoring center.

• Online Tutors–Online tutoring services offer the benefits of private tutoring without the scheduling constraints. They also make tutoring seem more like a game, which helps motivate students and encourages them to continue their sessions. Online tutors rarely have contact with the student’s classroom teacher, though, and there is no way to know who, exactly, is interacting with your child. If you choose this method of tutoring, be sure to get as much information as possible about the person on the other end of the wire. Online tutoring charges generally range from $20 to $50 per session, usually paid with a credit card.

Make Sure It’s Working
Researchers say tutoring is most effective when it helps students literally “learn how to learn.” According to Edward E. Gordon, lead author of The Tutoring Revolution (Rowan & Littlefield, 2006), students often fail to master important basic skills because of subtle undiagnosed learning disabilities, dyslexia, underachievement and other learning issues that may limit study skills.
Good tutors closely observe the student, and then use the stronger skills to build up personal learning weaknesses.

Research also says:
1. Better-prepared tutors produce better results than tutors with little or no special preparation. Ask prospective tutors what kind of training they have had.

2. Tutors are more effective when they follow a written curriculum that helps individualize their instruction. They should also record and track your child’s gradual improvement.

3. Tutors should coach parents on how to encourage good study habits and motivate their child’s daily learning at home. Family support can make a huge difference in your child’s success.

Online Tutoring Sampler
A Google search for “online tutoring” brings up almost 2 million hits! Here’s just a start:
• GoMath.com – Free online help in mathematics for K-12 students.
• Tutor.com – Provides a database of tutors offering online and face-to-face services in academic and non-academic subjects.
• e-tutor.com – The Guided Study program offers support for children in grades K to 12 at all levels of achievement.