Want to give your kids the academic edge they need? Every parent wants their children to do well in school and college. But here’s the problem: there are so many tuition services out there, it’s hard to know which ones to choose.
But wait – what if selecting the right option was actually quite easy?
This article covers everything you need to know to find the best tuition services for your child.
Let’s get into it.
What you’ll learn:
- What the Tutoring Industry Looks Like
- Qualifications Every Tutor Needs
- Choosing between 1-on-1 Learning and Group Tuition
- Pricing Points to Ponder
- Evaluating Performance
What the Tutoring Industry Looks Like
Did you know that the private tutoring industry is thriving as we speak?
Only 1 out of 6 American students receive any type of tutoring, but less than 2% have access to quality tuition.
In other words, there’s a vast difference between “average” and “effective” tutoring services.
So when you look for tuition services for your kids, keep this in mind.
Many companies out there are giving mediocre, if not downright bad, tuition for your child.
You want to find first class tuition services that’ll turn your kids’ grades around for the better.
On the other hand, the top companies are looking out for their students’ success with all they have.
This means they’re more than just “passing through” your children.
Here are some points that differentiate good from great.
The best tuition services look for personalized learning paths that adapt to each child’s needs.
They don’t take the “set it and forget it” method as every kid has their own unique learning style.
Qualifications Every Tutor Needs
Look at a tutor’s qualifications before you make a decision.
When you’re searching for the right person for your child, make sure they meet these criteria:
- Subject matter teaching experience
- Effective communication skills
- Patience and adaptability
- Track record of performance
Something you might be wondering is:
What are the most important qualifications to look for?
For a lot of parents, the answer is academic qualifications.
In fact, many parents only consider the subject matter when finding tutors.
But here’s something to keep in mind.
The teaching ability should be your first priority, not their academic credentials.
For example, a tutor with a PhD might have a great handle on the subject. However, that won’t mean much if they don’t know how to teach a child.
A good tutor will make complex topics seem easy.
They know how to break a topic down into smaller parts that students can actually follow.
They also use real-world examples to help your children make connections to what they’re learning.
Choosing between 1-on-1 Learning and Group Tuition
This is a decision that could affect your child’s progress.
On one side, you have one-on-one sessions that give your children complete attention. The tutor can also pace the lessons according to their learning ability.
However, group sessions offer students the chance to learn from each other. And it’s also more budget-friendly, as well.
The question is…
Group sessions work better for students who only need a little extra practice.
One-on-one tutoring is best for students who need significant help or intensive support.
Pricing Points to Ponder
No one can ignore this…
Tuition services require a payment. And sometimes a hefty one.
But remember that the most expensive service isn’t the best.
Nor does the cheapest option offer the most value.
So how do you look at a price?
There are a few key points to consider when it comes to value.
- Cost per session versus overall program
- Length of session
- Included materials
- Session cancellation policy
One more thing before we leave this section.
K-12 students make up around 71% of the private tutoring industry.
In other words, competition among providers is stiff. You can use this information when it comes to negotiation.
Did you know that many quality tuition services offer free trial sessions?
Take advantage of this and make sure that their teaching style will fit with your child.
Evaluating Performance
This is what a lot of parents get wrong…
Parents wait too long to see if the tuition works or not.
Avoid doing this.
Set specific and measurable goals right from the start.
What exactly do you want your child to accomplish with the help of the tuition service?
- Achieve better grades in a certain subject
- Build their confidence when it comes to a subject
- Get ready for an exam
- Cover for missed lessons
Here’s how to track your child’s progress:
- Monitor their school grades and test scores
- Ask their teachers for feedback on their improvement
- Notice any change in confidence and attitude
- Check with the tutor regularly on their progress
Best in class tuition services provide progress reports.
What I mean by this is they don’t just show up, teach, and leave.
They provide data on their performance and alter their approach according to this data.
The Location and Scheduling Factor
Convenience is a bigger factor than a lot of people realize.
Online tuition services are more popular because they don’t need a commute.
However, some students will still benefit from in-person classes.
The following are some of the questions you need to ask yourself:
- How far is the tuition location from your child’s house or school?
- Does the tuition schedule fit with the rest of their activities and homework schedule?
- Can you reschedule at the last minute without paying a cancellation fee?
- Do your children have all the special technology needed for online tutoring?
The best tutors won’t be able to help your child if their sessions are too inconvenient that they end up missing most of them.
Subject Specialization and Exam Preparation
Not all tutors are great at everything they teach.
Some tutors only specialize in a particular subject or grade level. Some are experts in preparing for exams only.
Make sure that your child’s tutor has a specialty that is relevant to your child’s needs.
What are the important factors if your child needs help with exam preparation?
- Have recent experience with the exam format
- Give them practice tests and past exam papers
- Teach test-taking strategies in addition to the subject
- Familiar with the marking scheme
Subject specialists are better than generalists.
This is especially true when it comes to advanced students and higher-level classes.
Building the Right Relationship
This might seem strange to a lot of you…
The relationship between the tutor and the child is just as important as the tutor’s qualifications.
Students who feel more comfortable asking their tutors questions will learn more than those who are shy.
The relationship aspect is important.
During the free trial session, see how your child reacts to their tutor.
Is he or she engaged? Do they ask questions?
See if the tutor also encourages curiosity and does more than just drill down facts.
Trust your gut feeling when it comes to this aspect.
If something doesn’t feel right, then it probably is.
Final Thoughts on Choosing
Choosing tuition services for your children is not as difficult as you might think.
Focus on the following aspects: quality tutors with proven track records, a teaching style that fits with your child’s learning ability, transparency when it comes to pricing, and measurable results.
The key points to keep in mind are:
- Do your research on qualifications.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for trial sessions
- Establish clear goals and track progress
- Don’t forget logistics and convenience
- Trust the relationship between the tutor and your child.
Finding the right tuition service for your children will take a little effort on your part.
But seeing them excel in school and develop a healthy love for learning will make it all worth it in the end.
Don’t settle for mediocre tuition services for your kids.
They deserve to get the best academic help possible to succeed in school.