Once the decision is made to get a tutor, the next question is how often they should teach your child. The answer depends on how much work (i.e. homework, classwork review, exam preparation, etc.) is initially required. Ultimately, the amount of catching up that is needed will dictate the frequency of the sessions.
Two sessions per week are encouraged to develop a regular learning pattern and enable the tutor time to effectively follow up and reinforce learning, while once weekly will suffice. Furthermore, if the student has a lot of catching up to do, you might want to start by scheduling numerous meetings to close together. You and the tutor can re-evaluate the number of meetings once the student has made some progress toward catching up.
Tutoring's Effects on Students
According to research done by the University of Chicago Urban Education Lab, ninth and tenth graders with poor arithmetic skills mastered three years' worth of math in just eight months when given an advanced tutoring program.
These gains were measured using standardized test scores in comparison to similar pupils who did not receive tutoring. There are numerous other research-based ideas that demonstrate the positive impact of tutoring on academic attainment.
So what is the takeaway from this as it applies to your child? And what if your student does not need “intensive support”?
The bottom line is that when it comes to good tutoring, both consistency and regularity are important. While it may be tempting to reduce or eliminate sessions after a student begins to improve in their courses, be cautious of old behaviors reappearing once the regular support and accountability have ended.
What about the length of a tutoring session?
One hour of tutoring can appear to fly by, especially after everyone has settled in, books have been opened, and progress has been assessed.
Also, given the amount of preparation and travel required by the tutor (unless you are working with an online tutor), any meeting lasting less than an hour is hardly worth the time. One hour is usually the very minimum for a tutoring session, and it should be sufficient.
You must understand that a full day of school may have already placed a lot of demands on your child and that requesting more concentration-time may be challenging. Students in high school can concentrate for longer periods of time, so you can discuss what is required with them and the tutor.
Weekend meetings could potentially be organized for meetings that last for longer than one hour. Students are more receptive and refreshed when they haven't been in school all day, according to personal experience. As a result, they have a better ability to concentrate.
One-on-one tutoring is an ongoing solution.
We've observed time and time again that students benefit from frequent lessons in the long run, even once they've started get close to their goals. A tutor can help a student remain on top of new content by reinforcing principles learned in class.
Regular lessons held once or twice a week throughout the school year are certain to give a student the extra boost they need to maintain academic performance and confidence.
While it could be tempting to cut back on sessions or end sessions altogether once your student begins to succeed, you should be wary, as old habits can quickly resurface once the tutoring support and accountability stops.
Parents are frequently looking to restart tutoring sessions a month or two after they have ended because the student has started slipping again. It is important to remember that tutoring is not a quick fix, and should be ongoing. Just like a student’s learning never ends, the supplemental tutoring to aid students in personalized learning is best to maintain regularly.
We understand that hiring a tutor is a big deal for parents. If you see your child worried or struggling with exams, have a talk with them. No child deserves to feel guilty or ashamed of asking for extra help after school. Break such stereotypes, and step up for your child’s academic success, confidence, and better future.
Hire a tutor and set your child’s tutoring session days and times, and give your child the best possible chance to achieve goals and have a bright future.
