Resources for Parenting and Families

How to Choose a Math Tutor - The Right One Means Success

By Stephen Carr

Before looking for a tutor, ask yourself this question,

What is the goal for me or my child?

Goals will fall under these categories:

1) Immediate help to pass class or an exam.

2) Long term help to bring student up to grade level.

3) Improving student's learning and studying skills.

Deciding on which one you need is the first part. Deciding on what will get you there is the second. If you want help to pass a class or an exam, the best way is to find a one-on-one tutor who will come to your home and work specifically on the subject the help is needed on. The tutor you find must be an expert on that subject. No long term goal is expected, just a little nudge to get over the learning hump.

Looking for long term to bring and keep student at grade level? Again, a one-on-one tutor, coming to your home, is best. Find one that is both willing and able to bring student up to grade level, while at the same time can give immediate help. Stopping the bleeding is foremost.

Now, if you are looking to improve student performance and study skills, a learning or tutoring center is best. Generally they have all diagnostic and remedial resources available.

One-on-one is for immediate help and is actually best for the student. Learning centers may not be willing to help your child on subject specific problems. And they sometimes see more than one student at a time. But they can be more beneficial in the long term. You may wish to use a combination of both. Here is the last point. Before paying for any tutoring, ask the school for help first. Many schools have before and after school tutoring, and the teacher can suggest more free ways.