Parent Tips
Reasons for Private Tutoring
Our view of tutoring is more than a quick fix to a high grade on
the next test. While tutoring can help achieve that, tutoring is
always about developing greater individual skills and becoming more
knowledgeable and independent in the process. We believe that
tutoring...
* improves academic performance and personal
growth.
* provides a more individualized, systematic,
structured learning experience.
* improves attitude toward subject area.
* generates stronger effects than other
individualized teaching strategies.
* motivates self-paced and self-directed
learning.
* provides intensive practice for students who
need it.
* improves self esteem.
* provides greater connection between the
student's teacher and the student.
Determine
where to get tutoring help for your child.
There are different levels of training and experience for
individuals who tutor kids. That fact can make it difficult for you
to decide who's right for your child. Tutoring Match helps you with
this process of finding the right person to assist you and /or your
child.
Before choosing a private tutor for yourself or to work with your
child, be sure to consider your child's individual needs, learning
style and the assistance that he or she requires. If you need help
determining the best course of action, here's where you can find
help:
- Talk to your child's teacher or trusted professional.
- High school and college students, retired adults, or your next
door neighbor may be able to help your child with homework, listen
to him/her read aloud, or take him/her to the library to do
research for a project.
- Credentialed teachers are trained in certain areas of general
education curriculum, so they can help your child with a specific
subject, such as math or science. Most of Tutoring Match's tutors
have New York or Connecticut Certification.
Credentialed special education teachers are qualified to work with
kids with disabilities. At school, they are the staff responsible
for implementing IEPS, so they have training in educational
assessment, teach skills and strategies, and make
accommodations.
- Members of the Association of Educational Therapists
http://www.aetonline.org/ have additional training in educational
assessments and teach skills and strategies. After completing a
specialized clinical program, they receive an advanced
certificate.
Contact Tutoring Match for some
assistance or guidance about what steps you should take.
What to
Consider Before Hiring a Tutor
Hiring a tutor for your child or for yourself is often a
confusing and complicated matter. Currently, we estimate that there
are over two million people practicing tutoring. These individuals
may be independent private practice tutors, or they may work for a
larger practice, a franchised practice, a community program, a
faith based program, or a school based initiative. Whether
volunteer or paid, all tutors should abide by the standards of
practice and Code of Ethics as set forth by the National Tutoring
Association. All tutors should be trained and certified in the
professional practice of tutoring.
So how do you know who will be a good fit for your student? Who
will deliver the services best suited for your student's needs and
goals? Tutors have the unique ability and responsibility to
interact with your student on a holistic level, meaning that the
tutor and student will work together as a learning team to meet
certain goals and benchmarks of success. Tutors not only deliver
content information, they motivate, coach, challenge, and provide
feedback to students. Well trained and experienced tutors work with
the student's overall study skills, not just the academic
assignment at hand. But you must keep in mind that tutors are not
magicians and that no tutor should ever guarantee that your student
will attain certain results in any given period of time. The goal
for every tutor should be overall progress for the student which is
measured in academic success, improved self-esteem, and increased
independence as a learner.
Hiring a tutor should be approached in the same manner as hiring
any other professional. Ask questions, look carefully at
references, and use your instinct as to whether this tutor is a
good fit for your student. Your student should be present at the
initial interview so that you can receive feedback from your
student before making a final hiring decision. After all, the
student is 50% of the learning team, and as such, needs to be
involved from the onset.
Questions to Consider Before Hiring
a Tutor
* What do I expect the tutor to
do?
* Help with homework?
* Build skills?
* Provide enrichment?
* Improve report card grades
* Teach learning strategies?
* Provide educational assessment?
* Serve as a case manager for my child
* What are my child's learning strengths and
needs?
* What outcomes should I realistically
expect?
* How will the interventions be related to my
child's school program?
* Will my child's teachers work collaboratively
with the tutor?
* How does my child feel about getting this
extra help?
* Would my child prefer to work with a male or
a female?
Questions for Parents to Ask the
Tutor
Tutoring Skills, Personal Style and Experience
- Find out about a tutor's talents and approach to working with
students.
* How long have you been tutoring?
* Why do you enjoy tutoring?
* How many children are you currently working
with?
* How do you define your role as the
tutor?
* Are you able to adapt instructional materials
and teaching strategies to meet my child's needs and interests? If
so, how would you do it?
* When do you become frustrated with
children?
* How do you communicate with a child who
clearly isn't "getting it"?
* How do you deal with motivation, behavior,
and/or attention problems?
* What services do you provide?
Credentials - Don't be afraid to ask for proof of
credentials, i.e. transcript copies, copies of state teaching
certificates, tutor certification, proof of other specialized
training. Ask the tutor to provide a complete resume.
* Have you taught or are you currently teaching
school? If so, what subjects and/or grade levels?
* What is your experience working with students
my child's age?
* Have you had training in working with kids
with learning differences? If so, to what extent?
Letters of Recommendation - Make sure that the
letters speak to the person's ability as a tutor and not just
matters of general character. Letters should be current and include
full contact information for the person making the recommendation.
Above all, make the calls necessary to verify these
recommendations.
* Can you give me three references relating to
your professional work?
* What is your educational background and level
of professional training?
* What credentials, certifications, and/or
degrees do you hold?
Assessment - A Tutorial Plan -- Give the tutor a
list of your concerns and goals for your student. Ask the tutor to
offer a basic plan for how he or she will assist your child.
* How will the tutor conduct an initial
assessment of your student's academic needs and challenges?
* How will success be measured?
* When will feedback be provided to you and/or
the student's teacher?
* What type of assessment for learning
differences do you do, if any?
Tutorial - (Time, Frequency, Duration, and
Location) -- Tutors should never meet with your child in a location
where there is no other adult present.
* How long is each tutoring session?
* How frequently do you recommend
meeting?
* Do you offer individual or small group
instruction?
* Where will the tutor meet your child?
* At your home with supervision?
* In a public place such as a library?
* In a dedicated learning center?
Demonstration -- Watch the tutor guide your child
through a small portion of one lesson.
* How does the tutor approach the
student?
* Where does the tutor sit; does the tutor
respect your child's personal space?
* How is the tutor's intent conveyed to your
child?
* Does the tutor write on your child's paper or
does the tutor allow the child to make corrections as needed?
* Is your child allowed to ask numerous
questions?
* Is the tutor patient, professional in
mannerism, tone of voice and information delivery?
* Does the tutor give your child time to
process and answer the question before offering the solution?
* Does the tutor offer sincere praise?
Professional Affiliations and Development -
* To what professional association does the
tutor belong?
* How does the tutor participate in the overall
improvement of the tutorial practice?
* Does the tutor stay current regarding
innovative methods and strategies?
* How do you remain current in the field of
learning differences?
Communication and Teamwork -
* What is my role as the parent?
* How will I be informed of my child's
progress?
* Are you willing to collaborate with my
child's teachers to coordinate school instruction and
curriculum?
* How will you communicate with my child's
teacher(s) and how often?
Final
Questions
* Were all of my questions answered to
my satisfaction?
* How does this person compare to others
I have interviewed?
Finally, if you have any internal warning signals, do not hire
that tutor. You are the person who knows your child better than
anyone else. You and your child must feel comfortable in this
tutorial relationship. The bottom line is that no matter who
recommends the tutor, interview more than one tutor if you have any
nagging thoughts in the back of your mind when making the hiring
decision.