Tutors can help when middle school children need short term academic assistance. Finding a tutor means looking for a one-on-one experience with a qualified person.

Can a Tutor Help?

The short answer is yes, under the right circumstances.

Consider tutoring if you encounter any of the following situations.

1. An extended absence from class where critical learning objectives were discussed
2. If your child shows repeated signs of declining performance on assignments, tests and projects
3. Your child will miss a week or more of school due to a family trip or extracurricular commitment.
4. If you hear your child say any of the following statements on a regular basis, “I don’t understand what the teacher is talking about”, “I can’t remember anything we learn in class”, or “No matter how hard I study I still fail the tests.”

Hiring a tutor is not an effective solution in any of the following situations.

1. Following the first low grade on an assignment, test or project. Don’t jump the gun and assume the rest of the quarter will continue to produce poor results. The first few weeks of school require adjustments and some time to get acquainted with teachers and curriculum. Offer to help your child study for tests or complete assignments.
2. After the first few weeks of school when your child complains, “This class is too hard”, “The teacher doesn’t like me”, “I tried but I just don’t get it”, or “I understand the homework I just don’t do well on the tests.”Again, kids need time to adjust to their new surroundings. Support your child’s transition to their new academic environment by having them review upcoming assignment due dates and their study plan for tests. Often kids need the security of knowing they have a plan to complete homework and study effectively for tests. The parent’s job is to lend a helping hand when requested.
3. Your child misses less than a week of school due to illness or an extracurricular commitment. Generally when students miss less than a week of school their teachers will provide a summary of the missed information. With the exception of a few advanced level classes most students can recover from missing less than a week of school by meeting privately with their teachers. Exchanging emails with teachers is another way for students to ask questions about missed content if the after school hours don’t permit time for a face-to-face meeting. Check in with your child’s teachers after returning to school to confirm that all missed work has been submitted.

Not All Tutors are Equal

What to look for in the ideal tutor or tutoring experience:

If your budget will allow for the additional expense of a one-on-one tutoring experience don’t hesitate to take this route. Rather than tacking on unnecessary drive time to a tutoring center look for a tutor who will come to your home for a one-hour session.

Working individually with a tutor gives a child the opportunity to ask questions, practice new skills and receive immediate feedback about their progress. Learning in a familiar study space will provide your child with access to their regular set of supplies, and allows for a more focused use of their learning time.

Finding the Ideal Tutor

• Calling a friend for a recommendation is a great place to start; however, resist the temptation to move forward with a referral pending a personal review the tutor’s qualifications.
• Evaluate teaching experience. Look for an adult with a history of teaching or tutoring experience. Students learn in a variety of ways. Understanding learning styles and how to present information that accommodates for learning differences is critical to comprehending challenging content.
• Does the tutor have subject specific expertise? Tutoring for advanced math, science and English classes may require the experience of a subject matter expert. College students majoring in a specific field can be great resources if they possess the ability to explain the concepts in kid-friendly vocabulary.
• Is she reliable and consistent? Ask for a few references from past clients. Inquire about the tutor’s reliability in maintaining a consistent schedule for tutoring sessions. Rescheduling a missed session can be challenging with a busy after school schedule.

What Do Tutors Charge?

Expect to pay in the range of $20 - $100/hour for a one-on-one tutoring session. College students tend to fall on the lower end of the pay scale whereas teachers with advanced degrees will expect payment on the higher end. Remember, tutoring should remain a short term endeavor so think twice before trading experience for expense.

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