Tutoring Guide

Tutoring is a vital component of the educational process. Tutoring is used to help speed the learning process and to help kids catch up to their classmates after they have fallen behind. Parents spend nearly $8 billion annually on tutors, while the federal government spends about $1 billion annually to provide tutoring services as outlined through the No Child Left Behind Act. A tutor can help a student master study skills to perform better in school overall, or they can work on specific subject material, such as fractions in math or Spanish lessons.

 

A parent can hire a tutor, or a student can find their own tutor, at any time, but tutors are most often sought out when a student experiences continual failing grades; when a student does not do homework consistently and makes excuses for it; or when a student exhibits disruptive behavior over time that affects their schoolwork.

 

Tutoring sessions are most beneficial when students work with the tutor two to three times each week for an hour at a time. Tutoring generally lasts around three to four months, but that length of time varies greatly depending on a student’s specific needs. For example, it may only take a student a few weeks to catch up after falling behind in a particular subject, but a student who is having difficulty with several subjects may require several months of tutoring.

 

When selecting a tutor, look for someone who has specific experience in the subjects in which you need tutoring. An ideal tutor will have several years of experience, a degree in the area they are tutoring or be a certified teacher. If your child has special needs, such as ADHD or dyslexia, look for a tutor who is specially trained to work with the problem.

 

Finally, at home, parents can do much to help reinforce what occurs during tutoring sessions. Parents should check their child’s homework on a daily basis; provide a quiet, comfortable place to study; plan study time ahead; and be available to help as needed.