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This question is often difficult to answer because you have all these options available:
1. National Learning Centers/Franchises
2. Freelance Private Tutors
3. Online Tutoring & Homework Help Services
4. Regional Tutoring Centers (not affiliated with
national franchises)
5. School-Sponsored After-School Tutoring Programs
6. Non-Profit Volunteer Community/Faith-Based Tutoring Programs
7. Local College Student Tutors
CompareTutors.com will help you narrow your selections and make the best choice
for you and your child.
National Learning Centers/Franchises
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There are typically published rates for their services, but some centers are open
to negotiate. Most centers also offer discounts and coupons on a regular basis so
you should always be on the look-out for those.
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2.
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Centers have always had great programs for students that are struggling with basic
skills and have gaps in understanding concepts. However, if a student is "stuck"
in a single area of Algebra, Chemistry, or needs help completing an essay, Learning
Centers may not be best suited for short-term tutoring on a single item.
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Most centers can offer flexibility with tutor-to-tutee ratio. While small groups
of 3-5 students may be most typical, one-on-one attention is available upon request.
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4.
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Tutors are employees and typically have undergone criminal and other background
and reference checks. If using an independent tutor, background checking can become
the responsibility and expense of the parent.
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5.
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You have a set schedule and will always have a tutor, but many centers demand
early notice if a student will be late and/or miss a session in order to accommodate
make-up sessions. Additionally, you usually have to schedule your tutoring sessions
around the center's hours of operation.
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6.
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While travel to the center is required, most centers are located in central and
convenient areas of towns and cities. Plus, these centers are often inviting locations
that have been designed to maximize student outcomes.
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7.
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Learning Centers typically require an initial assessment test that last approximately
3 hours and costs roughly $250-$350. This becomes the basis of their tutoring plan
for each child so it is necessary. Many centers offer discounts and coupons off
the initial assessment fees.
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8.
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Learning Centers typically require you sign an official agreement or contract.
This is nothing of concern; however you should understand what you and your child
are committing to.
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As with all contracts and agreements, READ THEM and take time to review the paperwork
before you sign.
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10.
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Many tutoring centers, particularly those affiliated with a larger franchise,
may offer financing and/or payment plans for families who need payment assistance
and most accept credit cards as well.
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When considering National Learning Centers/Franchises as your tutoring solution,
remember:
- They offer convenient locations and immediate enrollment.
- Travel will be required.
- Your child will be in a safe setting that is designed to optimize their learning
experiences.
- You do not have to vet the tutors; the center has already done that on your behalf.
- The tutoring center approach has been around for a long time and their tutoring
approaches are built on past academic experience and student success.
- You may be able to request a trial period to determine how effective their program
will be for your child.
Need help finding a National Learning Center/Franchise or another tutoring option
that's right for you?
Freelance Private Tutors
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1.
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They set their own rates which can vary greatly depending on how qualified and
experienced they are and how much they feel their services are worth. Most of the
time, the more experience and the higher their degree the more they charge for their
time.
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2.
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They accept checks and cash upfront or at each session. However, there isn't usually
any accountable method of record keeping on a monthly basis and rarely will a freelance
individual accept credit cards.
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Their schedules may provide more flexibility (when compared to learning centers);
however if they become unavailable for a scheduled session that session will be
cancelled unless you have another back-up tutor available.
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4.
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REQUEST A BACKGROUND CHECK. Unlike tutors at Learning Centers, freelance tutors
have not been vetted by any other authority. You should anticipate taking responsibility
for completing the criminal background and personal reference checks. You may also
incur additional costs associated with criminal background checks; however, it is
critical and should never be skipped.
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Most tutors are willing to meet in a convenient location, such as a library or
bookstore and some may travel to your home upon request.
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When considering a Freelance Private Tutor as your tutoring solution, remember:
- Many can offer more flexible schedules, especially when compared to learning centers.
- Hourly rates can vary wildly depending upon subject matter expertise and experience
- Pay attention to reliability and dependability; you do not want sessions consistently
re-scheduled as that could negatively impact the tutee.
- Because they are not held accountable by anyone, they set their own rules and define
their own tutoring approaches. This should be a particular cause for concern if
the freelance tutor is not a trained teacher or certified tutor. There are accepted
methodologies to ensure successful student outcomes from tutoring, but only trained
tutors and/or teachers may be aware of these.
- Ask for (and check!) any potential tutor's employment resume, tutoring references,
and complete a background check.
Need help finding a Freelance Private Tutor or another tutoring option that's right
for you?
Online Tutoring & Homework Help Services
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With this type of tutoring you have the obvious difference of human interaction;
however recent technology allows online tutors to use webcams and voice over IP
in addition to text messaging to interact more closely with students.
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Recent studies have shown that online tutoring can be as effective as face-to-face
tutoring for many students. Most major online tutoring companies have tutor training
and certification programs.
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3.
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Most major online tutoring companies have training and certification programs
so their tutors understand the approaches and methods to engage students to achieve
their academic goals.
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4.
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Because they cannot interact in person, most major online tutoring companies have
strict processes to make up for that. They typically follow national & state academic
standards and curricula and use extensive libraries of online content, question
banks, animations and simulations for maximum student engagement & learning.
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Online tutors are also great for answering questions that students have particularly
when it comes to homework help.
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6.
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Online tutoring is generally the most cost-effective way to get a professional
tutor to support a child.
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While this service is very different from in-person teaching or tutoring, today's
children and young adults are very accustomed to using technology to clearly communicate.
Nonetheless, parents should monitor their child to ensure it is an effective approach
for them.
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Some services do not offer tutoring for younger students (under 8), especially
those needing reading or math basic skills.
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When considering Online Tutoring & Homework Help Services as your tutoring solution,
remember:
- You can get help instantly, at any time of day or night from any location in the
country.
- Many companies provide unlimited tutoring from certified tutors for reasonable subscription
fees which can be a concern for cost-conscious families.
- Be sure the online tutoring companies also commit to provide you with detailed and
regular progress reports.
- If you do not pre-schedule sessions with a particular tutor, your student may receive
a different tutor each time they log in resulting in less continuity between the
student and the tutor.
- Most online tutoring services allow the student to pre-schedule sessions in advance
with a preferred tutor.
- Most online tutors offer a free or reduced-price trial period during which time
you can gauge whether or not it is working for your child.
Need help finding an Online Tutoring & Homework Help Service or another tutoring
option that's right for you?
Regional Tutoring Centers (not affiliated with national franchises)
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Many regional tutoring centers try to align their curriculum more closely with
that of the public schools in their service area as they are not bound by the tutoring
methods of a national franchisor. While the benefits of this are not completely
clear it does distinguish regional centers from their national counterparts.
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Some operations require their tutors to be certified teachers, some hire college
students, and some require a minimum of a college degree so you should ask about
their tutors' qualifications.
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Since many operate regionally, they may limit tutor background checks to those
run by a local or state agency. Ask for and verify that it is a NATIONWIDE check,
local checks may not show any criminal activity if the tutor is new to the area.
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Many regional tutoring operations are competitive in their hourly rates and try
to provide a less expensive option than national franchises.
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Many services do not offer special programs or services for students with special
learning needs. Tutors may be available to help the student with their school work
only.
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Each regional tutoring center is different. Some require a minimum number of hours
each month, some require upfront fees on a monthly basis, and some may have a revolving
charge on your credit card. Some services have no contracts and no minimums so be
careful to review agreements very closely and understand your commitment.
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When considering a Regional Tutoring Centers as your tutoring solution, remember:
- They may be a good option for children needing help with specific subjects and textbooks
used in their school district as they generally try to align their tutoring to public
school curriculum.
- They try to specialize in helping you find a tutor that fits your schedule, your
grade level and your subject.
- The business owners are sometimes the tutors and members of the local community.
- Because they are privately held each one sets their own policies on everything from
tutor qualifications to billing, ask a lot of questions and read everything before
you begin tutoring.
Need help finding a Regional Tutoring Center or another tutoring option that's right
for you?
School-Sponsored After-School Tutoring Programs
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Most school-sponsored programs use their existing teaching staff, so your child
will typically be tutored by a certified teacher. These teachers typically have
experience in remediation tutoring approaches and knowledge of the subject area.
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Eligibility requirements for school-based tutoring may limit number of participants.
Sometimes only those students with the greatest academic need are the only ones
considered for school-sponsored programs.
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Children may perceive school-based tutoring as some sort of detention. Success
rates may vary when your child is presented with the same teachers, the same classmates
and the same location as their normal school day.
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When considering a School-Sponsored After-School Tutoring Program as your tutoring
solution, remember:
- They can often be the most convenient form a location perspective as the school
typically provide transportation on the normal school bus routes
- Most school-sponsored programs do not offer special or customizable programs. Tutors
are available to help the student with their school work only and or state-required
testing material.
- Success rates may vary when your child is presented with the same teachers, the
same classmates and the same location as their normal school day.
Need help finding a School-Sponsored After-School Tutoring Program or another tutoring
option that's right for you?
Non-Profit Volunteer Community/Faith-Based Tutoring Programs
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Most tutors are volunteers or individuals who provide their time at no charge.
While many reputable volunteer tutor programs (like those held at Boys & Girls Clubs;
YM/YWCA's, etc.) offer training to their volunteer staff, you cannot be assured
that the volunteers are certified teachers or tutors.
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These volunteer programs are often government funded with low or no cost to participants
so they can be a nice alternative to cost-conscious families if these services are
available their communities.
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Eligibility requirements for volunteer-based tutoring may limit number of participants.
However, because they want to serve as many individuals as possible, many of the
tutoring sessions provide instruction to larger groups.
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No studies have been conducted to gauge the students' long-term academic improvement
after using volunteer tutors, but the premise of the program is for the volunteer
tutor to see a one-on-one change with each individual student.
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When considering a Non-Profit Volunteer Community/Faith-Based Tutoring Programs as
your tutoring solution, remember:
- While Non-Profit Volunteer Community/Faith-Based Tutoring Programs provide a no
or low cost alternative to fee-based tutoring companies and programs, long term
research into their effectiveness is limited therefore parents will need to monitor
progress independently to ensure a child's academic goals are defined and achieved.
- While unlikely, untrained volunteer tutors may have a negative impact on your child's
learning experience, so be conscientious and solicit feedback from your child regularly.
- Because services are provided by volunteers the tutoring approach may be less defined
and/or rigorous. This may work for some children and not others so be aware.
- Ask for (and check!) the volunteers tutoring resume and references before committing
to this type of program.
- Since regular progress reporting may not be standard for volunteer run operations,
check on your child's progress on a regular basis to ensure your tutoring goals
are being met.
Need help finding a Non-Profit Volunteer Community/Faith-Based Tutoring Program or
another tutoring option that's right for you?
Local College Student Tutors
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Student tutors may lack experience in teaching higher level skills but it can
be a good option for good students needing over-learning and rote practice for skill
reinforcement.
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2.
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They often set their own rates which can vary greatly, but they will accept checks
and cash upfront or at each session.
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Their schedules are less flexible because of their own classes and course workload.
Be sure that they do not have a history of parent complaints for repeated cancellations.
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Often college students do not have ready access to a vehicle, therefore the burden
and costs of transportation to meet tutors is the parents responsibility.
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When considering a Local College Student Tutors as your tutoring solution, remember:
- College tutors provide another lower cost alternative for cost-conscious families.
- While unlikely, untrained college tutors may have a negative impact on your child's
learning experience, so be conscientious and solicit feedback from your child regularly.
- Ask for (and check!) the college students tutoring resume and references before
committing to this type of program.
- Since regular progress reporting may not be standard for college students to provide,
check on your child's progress on a regular basis to ensure your tutoring goals
are being met.
Need help finding a Local College Student or another tutoring solution that's right
for you?
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