20 Reasons to Choose an In-home Tutor
“Why are you so certain your in-home tutoring will succeed where that center-based program just failed me?” That’s a question we hear from many parents who are new to the idea of in-home tutoring, and one for which we have some very good answers.
In-home and center-based are both types of tutoring services, but that’s where the similarities end. Over the past few years, some national centers have tried to market in-home tutoring, but as you will see from the comparison chart, they must first overcome tremendous differences in philosophy and approach. In fact, in-home and center-based are two distinct services with far more reliable results provided by qualified in-home tutors.
In addition to independent proof1 that one-on-one tutoring is a more effective way to help students learn, we’re bullish on our in-home program because we consistently see amazing results by kids who never thought they could do it. This, however, does not get to the heart of what every parent really wants to know, which is how our in-home approach will help their particular child succeed.
The answer is quite simple. When you match the right highly qualified, professional educator with a struggling student and work toward clear, measurable goals, the student will do well. Progress happens and grades improve because, with personal attention and without distractions, the tutor can quickly identify and address specific academic needs and learning gaps. It’s like being the only student in the class.
20 Reasons to Choose an In-Home Tutor over a Center
| IN-HOME2 | CENTER3 | |
| Overview: Focus and Approach | ||
| 1 | One-on-one focus Proven more effective1 |
Shared attention |
| 2 | Tailored to student | Group of students |
| 3 | Your schedule | Set hours |
| 4 | In your home | Drive back & forth |
| 5 | Professional educators | College students |
| Academics: K-12 subjects; SAT and ACT preparation | ||
| 6 | Actual schoolwork | Their materials |
| 7 | Identify specific learning gaps | Follow set program |
| 8 | Master current assignments | Homework left to do! |
| 9 | Reinforce meaning behind concepts | Repetition drills (workbooks; computer) |
| 10 | Study & organizational skills | NA |
| 11 | Special-needs tutors | NA |
| Communication: Student-to-Tutor and Tutor-to-Parent | ||
| 12 | Admit not knowing; ask for help; comfortable asking questions | Peer pressure; social hierarchy; group dynamics |
| 13 | Discuss specific needs with tutor | Follow facilitated group needs |
| 14 | Build relationship with one tutor (tutor as role model and mentor) |
Work with tutor on duty |
| 15 | Tutor speaks to parent at session | Tutor reports to center director |
| Cost: Fees and Contracts | ||
| 16 | No sign-up costs or other fees | Assessment fees |
| 17 | Get the amount of help you need | Long-term contracts |
| 18 | Higher hourly rate; lower overall cost due to less tutoring time | Lower hourly rate; higher cost due to ongoing program |
| Results: | ||
| 19 | Monitor that specific, measurable goals are met in a timely fashion | Reassess student for progress on center materials |
| 20 | Results based on real-worldgrades, scores and school performance | Results determined by scores on assessments developed by center |
1 The Tutoring Revolution: Applying Research for Best Practices, Policy Implications, and Student Achievement by Edward E. Gordon, Ronald R. Morgan, Charles J. O’Malley, and Judith Ponticell.
2 Based on TeamUP! Tutors’ exclusive Managed Tutoring(SM) program.
3 A generalized compilation of the center-based tutoring industry.
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