Decided to Get a Tutor? Questions You Should Ask
Thoughtful questions will help you decide among an increasing number of options to find the right tutor for your child.
Tutoring has become a multibillion-dollar industry providing lots of choices for families. It's up to you as a parent to check out the tutor and decide whether he is the right one to meet your child's needs.
Here are 10 questions to get you started in the right direction:
1. Who will do the tutoring?
If you are working with a tutoring company, you are usually hiring the company, not the tutor. Be sure you agree with the company's philosophy. Find out what choice you do have in selecting a particular tutor or how the company will determine the right tutor for your child. Find out whether your child will have a substitute if the assigned tutor is ill.
If you've chosen online tutoring, find out whether the company employs tutors in other countries. If you're comfortable with a tutor your child won't see face to face, you'll still need to monitor whether she and the tutor can overcome any language barriers. Be sure to ask how the tutor plans to build a rapport with your child, and how he will become familiar with your child's textbooks and classroom assignments.
2. What are the tutor's qualifications?
Does he have experience teaching the subject your child is focusing on? It's not necessary that a tutor be a credentialed teacher for your child's grade level: A good chemistry tutor for your high school junior might have experience teaching college-level chemistry, for example, even if he doesn't have a high school teaching credential. But he should at least have a college minor in the subject.
Does the prospective tutor have experience teaching children of similar ages and learning styles to your child? It is particularly important if your child has special needs that a tutor have training and experience in working with children like yours.
3. What is the tutor's track record in raising student achievement?
In addition to asking for references from teachers or other parents, ask for evidence, such as:
- Higher test results
- Improved classroom grades
- Better homework completion
- Satisfaction surveys of students or parents
4. Where will tutoring be offered?
Children are tutored at schools, public libr/aries, tutoring company offices, private homes, community centers, places of worship or via the Internet. While any of these options can work, you need to be comfortable with your choice. If transportation to the tutor is required, make sure it's regularly available. A number of studies have shown that the most effective tutoring is regular and frequent, and that more sessions per week result in greater gains.
If you've chosen online tutoring for your child, make sure you have access to a computer, Internet connection, headsets or other necessary equipment.
5. How many students will be tutored at a time?
Some students benefit most from instruction in small groups, others one-on-one. Be sure to choose a provider that offers instruction in a setting that works for your child. If you've chosen group tutoring, find out the maximum number of students who would be in your child's group.
6. How will the tutor measure your child's needs and progress?
Ask how the tutor will devise a plan that's right for your child and measure whether goals are achieved. If the tutor provides reports in writing, ask for a sample so you can be sure that they will be clear and helpful.
7. How will the tutor communicate with you and your child's teacher? How frequently?
Your child's tutor and classroom teacher should be working toward a common goal. Ideally, the teacher and tutor will be able to communicate and reinforce each other's work. Be sure to let the teacher know about the tutoring your child is receiving and ask if he can give you feedback on your child's progress in the classroom. You will also need to establish a regular time when your child is not present to discuss her progress with the tutor.
8. What is your tutor's policy for cancellations and make-up sessions?
Many private tutors who rely on clients for their salaries will charge if an appointment is canceled without 24-hour notice. Others have detailed policies for make-up sessions. Check your tutor's policy.
9. What will happen if the tutoring fails to help your child?
Find out the procedures for switching to a different tutor within a company and the deadline to decide if that's necessary. Does the tutor "guarantee" certain results? How are those results measured? What happens if your child doesn't achieve them?
10. What can you do to reinforce your child's learning?
Tutoring isn't magic, and parents need to reinforce a tutor's lessons every day. Ask the tutor for suggestions on how you can help your child. Be prepared to check in at the end of a session or afterward to make sure you know what your child is expected to do before the next session, whether it's practicing multiplication facts or making sure all classroom homework is completed.
Updated December 2007
