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Choosing The Right Tutor Can Be As Easy As ABC

Sylvan Learning Center Offers Parents Top Tips

According to the Education Industry Association, the demand for tutoring has increased 15-18% in the past year, compared to single-digit growth previously. As a result, the number of tutors has also increased dramatically. Before entrusting your child's academic future to someone, it's important to make sure that person is the best qualified to meet your child's needs.

Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, offers easy tips for parents to use when choosing effective tutors.

1. Make sure the tutor is licensed or certified.

Tutors will need the proper qualifications to assess, diagnose, and tutor to a child's weakness.

2. Look for a tutor with experience teaching children the same age as your child.

3. Request an assessment.

An individualized analysis of a student's strengths and weaknesses can determine a child's needs and help set goals. Also, insist on progress updates as a child passes through each step of the tutoring program.

4. Define your goals.

Are you trying to keep your child from failing? Are you looking to challenge a child who is already doing well in school? "Be sure your tutor understands your objective and is skilled enough to meet it," observes Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., vice president of education for Sylvan Learning Center.

5. Find a tutor with specific expertise in the subject of your choosing.

Just because someone is a math genius, it doesn't mean he is qualified to teach other subjects.

6. Make a personality match.

Determine what kind of teacher the student has excelled with previously.

7. Ask tutors how they will help your child master a specific skill.

A good tutor will require that a child learn a specific skill before advancing to the next academic level. Find a tutor who will work with parents and teachers to create an individual program.

8. Ask prospective tutors for references from previous employers and students, or hire a respected tutoring company.

9. Get recommendations for tutors from family and friends.

About Sylvan Learning

Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages, grades and skill levels. With approximately 30 years of experience and nearly 1,200 centers located throughout North America, Sylvan’s proven process and personalized methods have inspired more than 2 million students to discover the joy of learning. Sylvan’s trained and certified personal instructors provide individual instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan helps transform unique kids into uniquely inspired learners with the skills to do better in school and the confidence to do better in everything else. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS or visit http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com.

For more information, contact:
Jennifer Gaegler, Sylvan Learning Center
(410) 843-8928
jennifer.gaegler@educate.com