How to Find the Right Tutor for Your Child

Your child needs a tutor. Where do you find the right tutor for your child? Where do you begin your search? Begin first at your child's school. Ask the school secretary, principal, counselor, and the child's teacher for names of recommended tutors in your area.

You might check the classified ads in your local newspaper or the telephone directory under tutoring, schools, or academics. You might even ask a friend who has used the services of a tutor.

Other places to inquire about tutors is at your local educational district, at private schools, homeschool associations, and special education associations. Most of these service providers are familiar with tutors in the area.

Once you have the name of a tutor, you are ready to make telephone contact. But first you must decide what qualifications are most important to you in a tutor. Is experience more important than degrees? Is personality more important than teaching credentials? You should have a firm opinion regarding tutor qualifications, before you dial the call.

Some of the most important questions you need to ask a potential tutor involve experience, references, methods, location, parent involvement, homework, and fees. You will want to know if the tutor is a certified teacher, the grade levels and subjects taught, his or her tutoring style or methods, and if parents are allowed to observe.

While conversing with a potential tutor, listen for background noise. You will want to know if the tutoring location is private and free from distractions. Don't be afraid to ask about distractions, both visual and auditory. Don't be afraid to visit the tutor's studio to determine the distraction level for yourself.

If your child has a special disability, you will want to know if the tutor has any experience with that specific disability. You will also want to know if the tutor will be in contact with your child's teacher and if he or she will be available to attend educational plan meetings at the school, if requested.