by Shelly Bokman

Tutoring was once used only for students having trouble with core subjects such as reading, mathematics, science and history. But tutoring is no longer just for struggling students. Now study skills, standardized test assessment and preparation, music lessons, and help for foreign language studies are all available. You can go to a tutoring center, often located in close proximity to neighborhood schools, or find a tutor to come to your home.

Homework Help
Most tutors are experienced, degreed professionals. Many are former teachers who, though retired, enjoy students and find tutoring a fulfilling way to supplement their income. Your student making a positive connection with their tutor will make all the difference in their success. My youngest son struggled with Algebra and the tension in the house when his older brother or dad tried to help him was not worth the aggravation. Even though he protested loudly, we found an older gentleman who had been a math teacher all his life. They hit it off quite well, the protesting stopped and the grades improved.

Study Skills
Often students get so bogged down with assignments that they fail to gain the study skills they need as they get older and coursework becomes more rigorous. They need to learn how to study from textbooks, and how to take notes, outline and listen more effectively. They need specific strategies to prepare for tests and tips for making the most of their study time. A tutor can also help to increase students’ reading speed and comprehension. Some tutoring programs may look at your child’s learning style and help them adapt their study strategies to take advantage of their learning style strengths. All your student may need to do their best in and out of school is a system to efficiently use their time—a tutor can set this in place.

Test Prep
With the intense competition for college entrance what it is today, students want to do the best they possibly can on SAT and ACT tests. Some programs offer group classes or one-on-one instruction for these college entrance exams. Most programs will give your student a diagnostic test to see where their areas of strength and weakness are and then focus on a course of action for improvement. The test is re-taken along the way to monitor improvement. For some kids, just getting familiar with the test-taking process and feeling comfortable with its format allows them to do their best.

While you may have never considered tutoring before, it’s not unusual for kids to eventually encounter a subject, a class or a college entrance exam that overwhelms their current skills. Don’t be afraid to give a tutor a try. After all, they’re there to help, and kids deserve all the help we can give them.