Brace yourself. Your child's teacher has just written in the school diary that your child will need extra tutoring. Okay, so you already know that part. The hard part is finding the right tutor for your child.
A noted educator acknowledges that each family has unique needs, and tutors have many degrees of know-how and caring. So it is important to know what you want, then thoroughly investigate the skill, experience, commitment and personality of the tutor.
Know your goals
Ask yourself or your child's teacher:
1. What level of help do we need? Does my child need homework help, intensive remediation, or something in between?
2. What areas do we want to see the tutor improve: better scores in one subject; improved general skills (math, reading, science); study skills; motivation?
3. What do I know about my child's learning style? Does he learn best by reading, listening, moving, touching? Does he do better with men or women? Does he need lots of nurturing or a firm hand? What motivates and interests him?
4. How much time and money can you devote to tutoring? Don't skimp, but be honest with yourself before you start.
Test your options
1. Check credentials carefully. Ask the tutor the following questions to see how well their skills match your child's needs:
• What is your educational background? If the tutor will work on chemistry, she should have at least a college minor in chemistry. A different education is needed to teach first-grade reading.
• Are you certified to teach this subject area? Certified teachers have had to take plenty of "how to" education classes and have been supervised in student teaching by a mentor teacher. They not only know the subject matter, but they also know many ways to convey the material to an individual student.
• What type of teaching experience do you have? Look for a tutor who has worked with students similar in age and ability to your child.
2. Meet with several candidates. Include your child and ask plenty of questions:
• How do you evaluate each student's needs? Find out whether the tutor will use standardized tests, school reports, or other forms of evaluation to discover your child's strengths and weaknesses.
• How long do you think you will need to prepare the lessons? Keep in mind that difficult subject matters will take longer to prepare, so expect to pay more for the extra preparation time.
• What tutoring methods do you use? A skilled tutor will do more than just answer questions and do problems with students. He will assess your child's strengths and weaknesses, prepare individualized materials and use "hands-on" materials wherever possible. He will work hand-in-hand with the classroom teacher, and most of all, give your child a "can-do" attitude and lots of positive reinforcement.
• What do you expect from me? Good tutors need a family's cooperation. They need parents to contact classroom teachers and ask for cooperation in making tutoring a success: a copy of the textbook they use; a syllabus of their class or subject; any extra worksheets they have that might facilitate the tutorial process.
• How do you motivate your students? Think about what motivates your child, and seek a tutor who uses these methods.
• What hours are you available? This question often makes or breaks a deal. You may have found the perfect tutor, but if she doesn't fit your schedule you're out of luck.
Partner for results
Watch how your child relates to the tutor. Sit in on part of a session if possible. Your child must be comfortable, if you want to see success.
Monitor progress. Ask for feedback from your child, and see if your child's grade gradually improves. If, after several sessions, you don't see improvement or you feel a negative attitude in your child, move on to another tutor.
Finding — and keeping — a good tutor involves some work on your part. But then isn't your child worth all the help you can give?
