For a selection of local tutors and enrichment programs, click HERE!
10 TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT TUTOR
1. Ask around for recommendations. Other parents whose children have, or have had, similar needs can be great resources. So might teachers you know, and the Parents League.
2. Interview a prospective tutor. Discuss their expertise and experience, and your concerns and goals. Cover practical matters like hours, location, and cost. You should have a sense that your child would like working with them, and that they have a reasonable approach to addressing your child’s issues.
3. Get some references. As with any individual spending a significant amount of time with your child, you should get a sense of their personality, professionalism, and record of results from those they’ve worked with in the past.
4. Observe a mini-lesson if possible. There’s no better way to get a feel for a tutor’s style than by observing them in action.
5. Pick an appropriate place in your apartment for the lesson (if it’s not in a tutoring center). Either way, there should be other adults around.
6. Establish clear goals. Did your tutor perform a formal or informal assessment? By definition, tutors should be able to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses and provide achievable goals.
7. Trust your gut. You should feel like you’ve chosen a partner whom you can comfortably check in with, who understands your child, bonds well with him or her, and, most importantly, is helping.
8. Your child should be learning how to handle the materials independently. Meaning they shouldn’t become dependent on the tutor to do the work.
9. Don’t behave desperately. Never let any test prep company make you feel like you’re woefully behind or in need of over-the-top measures to improve your student. Their goal should be to reduce your anxiety, not raise it!
10. Get help early. Keep in mind that it’s best to get help early on—as soon as you recognize that your child is struggling.
