When All Else Fails, It May Be Time for a Tutor

As parents, we do everything we can to make sure our kids succeed academically. We cheerlead through hours of homework. Choreograph educational vacations. Leave copies of “Paradise Lost” in the bathroom.

But what if the child still struggles in a particular subject? How do you know when it’s time to bring in a tutor?

Only after a lot of other work has been done, say educators.

First, sit down with your child and find out how he or she approaches schoolwork: Does she keep up with assignments and allow enough time for homework? After a test, does he go over exam results with the teacher? Does the child tap every resource--the library, the Internet, friends who “get it,” even textbooks from other courses--when preparing for an exam or writing a paper?

“Place the responsibility on the child,” says Myron Dembo, a professor of educational psychology at USC. “What the child may really need to learn is how to be self-directed--that is, how to set goals, plan and study.”

If your kid has mastered these skills and tutoring still looks necessary, call your child’s school for tutoring programs in your area. And be cautious, advises Dembo. “Ask how many sessions you’re expected to sign up for,” he says. “You may need fewer than you think.”

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Depending on the child’s grade level, group tutorials with eight to 10 students can range from $10 to $15 per hour. For one-on-one assistance, expect to pay from $30 to $40 per hour.

What can parents do to help their child get the most from a tutorial session? Make sure the child is well rested, fed and on time, says Julie Hawkins, director of Sylvan Learning Center in Torrance.

Other advice: “Read together,” says Hawkins. “Even if your child is being tutored in math, good reading skills still come into play. Encourage your kids to keep a journal. Play games where they’re counting, adding or spelling words. Anything to strengthen skills while sparking their love of learning.”