Expensive Tutoring Services...Is It Worth It?

Holy cow. For that price, you can almost pay private school tuition, where they might even tutor him for free! I grew up in Bakersfield and went to Carden School from K-8, and they were great about spending extra time with kids who needed it. It's a fantastic curriculum - they drill in the basics early on and build from there.

I will be sending both of my kids to the Carden in Fresno next year - I tried the public school curriculum this year and found it sadly lacking when compared to the Carden method. I have been using what I learned as a child about phonics etc, to teach my daughter at home after school this year. Without that, I have no idea how/if she would have learned to read - just my humble opinion but I think the current vogue of teaching kids to read using sight words is not effective at all.

You may want to consider a private school or a charter school for a better fit for your child, depending upon which subjects he needs help with and what you really want him to focus on. I think you're right to jump on it early on, before he gets too far behind. Good luck!!

I am writing this as someone who worked for both a big tutoring company and as a private tutor. I say go with a private tutor.You pay less because you are not paying all of the other admin costs. The company I worked for charged the parents 46.00 an hour but the tutor was paid 18.00 an hour. There are plenty of people out there who tutor with the same curriculum and offer the same help for less. Their methods are not only available through them. Anyone who has taught/does teach probably uses them too. Good Luck.

I am a 6th grade teacher and I have always heard of better results (and cheaper) through outside tutors. You can find teachers who want to do it after school or in the summer, as well as former teachers.

Hi K.,
That seems very steep indeed. I'm sure they would be successful in helping him to reach his benchmarks but I am hoping you can find a less pricey alternative!!! In what area/s are you trying to bring him up to grade level? For that price/amount of time, it seems like they might be trying to tackle a lot at once.

I am a first grade teacher. I saw that you live in Bakersfield which is FAR from where I am. My advice would be to approach his current teacher and see if she or anyone else in the grade level would be willing to tutor him on the side, or, if they know of anyone they would recommend for tutoring. I have tutored in the past and I have peers that do that now. The good thing is that she/he would know exactly in what areas he needs help. I wouldn't necessarily try a college student at this point because they typically don't receive specific training in intervention. You would want someone seasoned who knows what they are doing, especially because you don't want your son to get burned out between school and intervention. You want the biggest bang for the time!!!

I know there is a parent at my school who started a business matching teachers who wish to tutor with students from all over the area. You may want to do a local search for something like that.

I wish you luck and wish you lived closer to Rocklin!!!
Good Luck,
N.

Hi K.,

There are a few variables to consider when making your decision, so it's good that you asked the experts on this site (the moms, of course)! When checking with the tutoring clubs, you need to find out: 1)if their tutors are credentialed teachers, 2)if they have specific training, 3)how many children is the tutor working with at one time, 4)are they using their own curriculum materials or the district's, 5)how long each sessions lasts, 6)how they handle difficult (behavior-wise) children -- and if your child has a melt down or refuses to cooperate, will you be charged for an incomplete lesson, 7)are they trained to work with children that have been in or qualified for special ed., and 8)if they have a money back guarantee. For the amount of money they are charging, they should be offering a top-of-the-line service. Yes, they need to charge more because of the expenses they have, but each lesson should be tailored to meet your child's SPECIFIC needs.

I am a private tutor myself, and in the past I have tutored students that attended tutoring clubs (before coming to me) without much success, and the parents put out an unbelievable amount of money. I charge a little less than the tutoring clubs do. When deciding what to charge, I took into account my 20 years of classroom teaching experience, a BA in Communicative Disorders, an MA in Early Childhood Education, my years of continuing education, and my 8 years of training and teaching experience in Reading Recovery. I also looked at the going rates of private music teachers. I feel that my expertise and training, as well as designing lessons specific to my students needs are comparable to what my own children's private music teachers do for them. My students pay $20/half hour. I rarely work more than 30 minutes at a time because I have found that children working one on one are concentrating very hard during that time, and at the end of a school day that's quite an accomplishment. How often I see my students per week depends upon how much they need to accomplish (catch up to be on grade level)in a given amount of time. I usually make a suggestion to the parents, but ultimately, I leave it up to them because I don't know their financial situation. I am certainly not out to bad mouth the tutoring clubs, because they have obviously done well with most students in order to stay in business. But, for the money you are putting out, you want to make sure that it is a quality experience for your child. If you were in the Fresno area, I'd definitely want to tutor your son. I LOVE working with first graders -- they are so fun and eager! Good luck with your decision! L.

Hi K.,

It sounds really expensive to me. Have you thought about hiring a college student or someone who is training to be a teacher? Just a thought. Good luck to you-

Moly

Try a teacher who tutors part time. It should be a lot cheaper.

I would use outside private tutoring like suggested in another response. I think some of the tutoring clubs only teach one way which may not be the best fit for your son. One size does not fit all! If you go private you can find someone who can tailor fit your son's needs.

Hi K..
Our 6 yr old boy leaving Kindergarten for first grade this fall was recommended to try Kumon, as he has regressed in reading. We pay about $260 a month (I believe) for help in reading and arithmetic. He completes 10min - 15min daily assignments in each subject and goes to the Kumon Center for 1hr/2xwk. We saw results immediately. he is enjoying it. We are enjoying it. They ask for a commitment of 6 months, and we pay monthly. don't know where you are. We are using the Kumon Center of El Cerrito, who's owner (it's a worldwide franchise) is also running the Kumon Center of Pinole. We would highly recommend this option!

I am a teacher that tutors after school. Check with the teachers at your son's school. I have had a lot of success with my tutoring kids and it is definitely worth it. The tutoring clubs are over priced in my opinion. You should be able to find a teacher.

Is it possible your son is falling behind because of a learning disability? If you are unsure, you may be able to get help through your son's school (if it is a public school). You should write a letter to your son's principal asking for the school to evaluate your son for a possible learning disability. Once a written request is made, the school has 15 days to respond to your request. A meeting will likely take place to discuss your son's strengths & weaknesses. If the group agrees that your son needs to be evaluated, the school has 50 days (after your signed consent) to do the evaluations & meet again as a group. Your son may then qualify for an IEP (Individual Education Plan) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), or may qualify for a "504 Plan." "504 plan" refers to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which specifies that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities, including elementary, secondary or postsecondary schooling.

My 8 year old son was evaluated by his school (at no cost to us), and was found eligible for an IEP. He is currently receiving services through his school.

It may take awhile for your son's school to do all of the evaluations. But, if he qualifies for services, he will get tutoring & special accommodations to help him succeed in school for free. It's a lot better than spending almost 3 grand on an outside tutoring club.

Here is a great web site for learning about IEP's, 504 Plans, and your legal rights. Good luck!
http://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/art/ld.rti.discrep.htm

Why not try Kumon learning center?

K.,
My son's teacher said she taught at one of those schools for the summer. They are only meant if your child does not need one on one time, and only if they are a little behind.
She said the ratio was one teacher to 3-4 students. She said they are not all they are cracked up to be. Our neighbors sent their son there, and were not impressed at all. But then, they were had very high expectations. I guess it is all in what you are looking for. I would rather find a personal tutor. There are some people who will help you with things in your own home as well.
W.