A Guide for Finding a Tutor
Get the basics on the benefits, challenges and costs of different kinds of tutoring services: private, tutoring centers, online tutors, and free Title I supplemental services.
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.
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Dr. Joanne Meier
I am a credentialed special ed. teacher and I work for the company, Professional Tutors of America. We provide one-to-one, at home tutoring (as well as other types).All of the tutors have an academic degree. We have been having GREAT success with regular AND special needs students.It's by far the most effective teaching I've done because I can focus on one student intensively and teach to their learning style. I love it! Parents remark that we've been able to make progress with their kids that no one else has ever been able to make! It's true. Especially for our struggling readers, it is so exciting to see them finally be able to make some progress. We offer SES services to most school districts around the country, so the government pays for it.Otherwise our prices are competitive.One-to-one home tutoring truly is my favorite way to teach in my 20 year career. The kids make progress. There's no better way.