Does Your Student Need a Tutor?

As a parent, watching your child struggle is hard – especially when it comes to academic achievement. The nation's ever growing emphasis on education reform, achievement and standardized test scores, combined with an increasingly competitive college admissions process, has created the need for options for kids who have either fallen behind or just need a little extra boost in a subject area. 

When today's parents and grandparents struggled academically in their own childhoods, many simply stayed after school for extra help from the teacher. There were private tutors for those families able to afford it- - often to ensure success at a prestigious private school or admission to an elite college.

Recent surveys show that American parents spend between $8-10 billion a year on tutoring or extra help for their child outside of the traditional school day. This is different than what is considered afterschool care. 

But, luckily, tutoring is no longer a special privilege of the wealthy. And it's not solely reserved for older kids at risk of academic failure. There are now tutoring services that cater to children as young as two or three; kids who need temporary help with a complex subject; and, increasingly, families who see it as a way to give their children an academic edge over their peers in a competitive world.

Only 17 percent of eligible students nationwide had actually signed up for this free, available tutoring. Click here for a parent brochure on Idaho's 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

“The federal education reform law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), has provided a boost to the tutoring industry and help for those who can’t afford private services,” said Dr. Ann Farris, Federal Grants Program Supervisor for the Boise School District and well-known expert in the education field.  “Under this act, low-income schools that have not met academic performance targets for three consecutive years are required to provide free tutoring, or supplemental educational services to their students."

Ironically, a report released by the U.S. Department of Education t his past spring found that only 17 percent of eligible students nationwide had actually signed up for this free, available tutoring.

In Idaho, The State Department of Education recently announced it will award approximately $1.75 million for after school programs for the 2008-2009 school years.  Funding is made possible through a federal allocation to states under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program – a successful statewide program that is currently in place. 

Idaho has 316,222 children between the ages of 5-19, and 23% of those children are responsible for taking care of themselves after school, yet only 9% participate in afterschool programs. Many of those children would likely benefit from the tutoring available in the state's after school programs. (Idaho State Department of Education, 12/07)

“The 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs have demonstrated powerful outcomes in deterring delinquency and improving academic performance,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna. “This is a great opportunity for Idaho communities to provide quality, structured programming for youth during the time of day when they need it most.”

The program’s goal is to help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children. 

“To find out if your school district is part of the 21st Century program, contact your child’s school or local administration office,” said Farris.  “This is a great program that supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low performing schools.  And, if the program is not available at your school, call the school district’s office because there may be options in terms of gaining access”

Other Options

There are for profit tutoring services and after school resources popping up all over Idaho—just look in your local phone book under “tutoring” or Google the words “Idaho tutoring.” 

Here are some general guidelines to consider when selecting a tutoring service or program:·        

• Determine how much time and money you can devote to a tutor.     
• Talk to your child's teacher about what kind of help your child needs and what kind of arrangement would be the best for him: an individual tutor, a learning center or an online tutor.     
• Ask the teacher or school counselor to recommend a tutor or tutoring service.  
• Ask around for word-of-mouth suggestions from other parents. Also look for tutoring services or referrals through your local public library and community volunteer organizations.
• Once you've lined up some possible tutors, ask for references.
•  Interview more than one tutor, and have your child accompany you. It's important to find a tutor that she is comfortable with.
• Ask the tutor if you can sit in on a session, to see how the tutor works with your child.
• Request that the tutor contact your child's teacher to coordinate studies and efforts.
• Keep track of your child's progress. If there's no improvement after several sessions, or if your child seems negative about his tutor, you may want to find a different tutor or service.
• There are a wide-array of services and programs available for parents who have the resources to pay. 

Farris also noted that Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho offer a school-based mentoring service that is free for kids across the Treasure Valley.  Although not geared specifically towards academic success, mentors can be requested to help fulfill this need. 

“School-Based Mentoring is not a classroom program, and it's not tutoring,” said, Lisa DeDapper, CEO of the Southwest Idaho Big Brother, Big Sisters.  “School-Based Mentoring is one-to-one mentoring that takes place in the schools.  Of course, some students do talk with their mentors about class, or do homework, or read together, but it's really all about friendship and guidance.   And, a recent study showed that the kids involved in our program nation-wide have shown growth in their academic performance.  So, we know we are making a difference in that area.”

Getting Started

So, how do you know if your child needs help?  According to Farris, here are some signs that your child might benefit from extra help or tutoring: 

1. Test scores can be an indicator, but some kids just don’t test well.  So, getting help for either the subject matter or to help your child learn better test-taking skills might be beneficial.
2. Consider continued low or failing classroom grades.  This is usually good indicator of an issue, especially if it is continual in a certain subject area.
3. The teacher reaches out or suggests there is an issue.  Your child’s teacher probably can help you make a good determination if extra help or tutoring would make a difference in your child’s academic success.
4. Listen and talk to your child.  Usually kids can tell you that they are struggling.  They self-identify
5. Your child is unhappy in school or having problems in general that you are aware of.

To find out more about getting your child help, start with your child’s teacher and school.  They will most likely be your best resource.  As a parent, you don’t have to watch your child struggle.  There is most likely help available – today.    

RELATED LINKS:

Learning Differently, Together - taken from Idaho Parent Resource, this article provides information and advice for parents of children with learning disabilities.

Ti read more on the U.S. Department of Education web site about helping your child with academics, click here.

A Dozen Promising Practices - includes peer to peer tutoring success story. http://www.edutopia.org/dozen-promising-practices