Thinking of getting a tutor? Important questions to ask
Tutoring has become a multibillion-dollar industry providing lots of choices for families. It's up to you as a parent to check out the tutor and decide whether he is the right one to meet your child's needs.
Here are 10 questions to get you started in the right direction:
1. Who will do the tutoring?
If you are working with a tutoring company, you are usually hiring the company, not the tutor. Be sure you agree with the company's philosophy. Find out what choice you do have in selecting a particular tutor or how the company will determine the right tutor for your child. Find out whether your child will have a substitute if the assigned tutor is ill.
If you've chosen online tutoring, find out whether the company employs tutors in other countries. If you're comfortable with a tutor your child won't see face to face, you'll still need to monitor whether she and the tutor can overcome any language barriers. Be sure to ask how the tutor plans to build a rapport with your child, and how he will become familiar with your child's textbooks and classroom assignments.
2. What are the tutor's qualifications?
Does he have experience teaching the subject your child is focusing on? It's not necessary that a tutor be a credentialed teacher for your child's grade level: A good chemistry tutor for your high school junior might have experience teaching college-level chemistry, for example, even if he doesn't have a high school teaching credential. But he should at least have a college minor in the subject.
Does the prospective tutor have experience teaching children of similar ages and learning styles to your child? It is particularly important if your child has special needs that a tutor have training and experience in working with children like yours.
3. What is the tutor's track record in raising student achievement?
In addition to asking for references from teachers or other parents, ask for evidence, such as:
- Higher test results
- Improved classroom grades
- Better homework completion
- Satisfaction surveys of students or parents
4. Where will tutoring be offered?
Children are tutored at schools, public libr/aries, tutoring company offices, private homes, community centers, places of worship or via the Internet. While any of these options can work, you need to be comfortable with your choice. If transportation to the tutor is required, make sure it's regularly available. A number of studies have shown that the most effective tutoring is regular and frequent, and that more sessions per week result in greater gains.
If you've chosen online tutoring for your child, make sure you have access to a computer, Internet connection, headsets or other necessary equipment.
5. How many students will be tutored at a time?
Some students benefit most from instruction in small groups, others one-on-one. Be sure to choose a provider that offers instruction in a setting that works for your child. If you've chosen group tutoring, find out the maximum number of students who would be in your child's group.
