A good education can unlock your child’s future. So, if your child is struggling in school, it’s only natural to want to get him or her the best help possible. While many schools have after-school programs that can help, many parents turn to outside sources for additional help. After all, working with experts in the field can often help your child overcome difficulties that are found in the classroom. Unfortunately, working with a private tutor can often be a drain on your finances. If you want your child to get the best help possible, you should consider the benefits and drawbacks of working with a private tutor.
Pro: One-on-One Attention
The typical public school classroom is more than a bit crowded. With average sizes hovering between twenty-five and thirty-five, it’s difficult for even the best teachers to give each child the attention that they need. If your child is struggling in class, the teacher simply may not have the time available to help him or her when it matters. A tutor, however, will be focused only on your child during their sessions. This will allow the tutor more time to observe the child’s difficulties and create a plan of action that will allow him or her to master the subject.
Con: Finances
Unfortunately, getting one-on-one attention from a tutor costs money. Depending on the individual, the cost will tend to range from twenty-five to one hundred dollars per hour, with top-tier tutors in affluent areas often charging even more. If your finances cannot handle one weekly visit, you will likely be shocked to learn that real progress will likely take multiple visits. Private tutors are incredibly helpful for many students, but that help comes at a steep cost. If your finances are not in the proper place, you might find that hiring a tutor is simply outside of the realm of possibility.
Pro: Expertise in the Field
The vast majority of private tutors are individuals who have some degree of expertise in a particular field of study. Teachers in most states must only have certification in a field, while most tutoring agencies require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a particular subject for each tutor. This means that tutors often have more experience dealing with a subject than public school teachers, a fact that can be quite helpful for those students who do not understand the typical curriculum or seek to advance beyond that which is taught in the classroom.
Con: Lack of Classroom Experience
While most tutors have a degree in the related subject, relatively few have real classroom teaching experience. While it can be helpful to hire a college student to allow your child a chance to improve at math or reading, there are certain benefits that come from working with a trained professional. Most educators have extensive training in educational psychology and learning methods – tools that can help your student to overcome learning or emotional difficulties and to find a new love of learning. A tutor simply cannot replicate the tools of a teacher if he or she has not been properly trained.
In the end, private tutors work best for students that have specific educational gaps. For instance, if your child did not develop the basic math building blocks or missed a certain step in the process a tutor can provide the attention and expertise to fill in the gap and help resore the foundation necessary. If however, your finances are not in a place where a tutor is affordable or if your child’s difficulty in school is related to overall learning difficulties, it might be best to seek action through the school itself. Every situation is unique, and only time and knowing your child will help you to make the right choice.
See Also:
- Choosing an Online College
- Teaching Your Kids Money Management Skills
- Ways Your Kid Can Help Pay for Their College Education
- The Benefits of Community College
- Student Loans – Support for Teen Education
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