By this point in the spring semester, it’s probably becoming clear to parents whether they should consider extra homework help for their child, such as a private tutor or additional classes.
Before hiring a tutor or making any other decisions (and financial commitments), here are some key points to consider:
Talk to the teacher
Your child’s teacher knows the ins and outs of your child’s progress, or lack thereof, and might have valuable insight into the student’s struggles. There might be extra help available during the school day or at the school after hours, or the teacher might suggest hiring a tutor. No matter the solution, it’s important to involve your child’s teacher in the decision-making process.
Identify goals
As with most pursuits, starting out with a specific, focused goal can help get tutoring off to a solid start. Are there specific subjects your student needs help with, or are you looking for a more general approach? Does your child need help with motivation, note taking or study skills? Your child’s teacher will have valuable insight here. Also, consider asking your child about their goals. You’re the one who ultimately will make the decisions, but your child is the one who will be doing the heavy lifting.
Shop around
You’ll want to meet with several potential tutors, and you should include your child in the meetings to make sure you find someone compatible. Ask candidates about their educational background and teaching experience, their tutoring methods, their expectations of both the child and the parents, how they motivate their students, when and where they are available to tutor and, of course, how much they charge. Asking for a reference, particularly someone whom the candidate has previously tutored, can be an effective screening tool.
Follow up
A parent’s involvement in tutoring should be more than just opening their wallet. You should sit in on some early sessions to see firsthand how your child and the tutor work together. Keep the lines of communication open with your child, the tutor and your child’s teacher so you can get feedback and, if all is going well, track some positive results.
