Struggling with a single subject or more than one subject
If your son or daughter is stressed about a single subject, such as algebra, then a single-subject tutor is fine. But if he or she needs help with algebra and essay writing, you’ll need a tutor who has strong math and English skills. Since some tutors specialize, be specific when you speak to potential tutors. Also check that the tutor will work with your child’s grade level.

Disorganized
If your child is disorganized, you’ll want a tutor who can help her get her papers together, set up a good study place stocked with supplies, and contact the school to find out missing and upcoming assignments.

Studies but still fails
If you watch your son study for hours, only to fail the test, he’s probably not studying the right way. Simply reading the history book or doing the pre-algebra homework isn’t enough to lodge the information into the brain. You need someone who will teach him different ways to study with flash cards, matching cards, tape recorders, and so on. Once these skills are learned, they can be used throughout college and future learning.

Identified medical issue
If your child has a specific issue such as dyslexia, autism, or a severe processing problem, be sure to find someone who can help with that certain challenge. You will probably be looking for an educational specialist.

You lack the patience or knowledge to help your child
“I don’t know a thing about algebra and his dad just gets irritated working with him.” Not everyone has the patience to teach, so don’t berate yourself. Also, it may have been a decade since you tackled an essay, a mixed number, or the quadratic equation. A tutor can relieve stress (yours and your child’s) in either case, as he makes a living out of being patient and knowing certain subjects well.

Unable to complete homework
Is your child bright but unable to get homework done in a reasonable amount of time? Does it take your third grader 40 minutes to complete a 10-minute assignment, given all the time spent complaining, restrooming, singing, and rocking in the chair?

While this may or may not be related to ADD (a term we all hear a lot of now), what you need is a very patient tutor who will help your child set goals and learn time management using breaks and learning games. It may take a while to overcome this homework aversion, but it’s good to deal with it as young as possible. Take into account your child’s maturity level, though; she may settle down as she progresses through the year.

Won’t do homework and DOESN’T want your help!
Don’t feel bad. Your child is probably between fifth and twelfth grades: an adolescent…the alien who replaced your baby. Continue to the next paragraph.

One or both parents gets into yelling matches with the unwilling student
Despite the importance of education, it shouldn’t tear apart your family life. This is the perfect reason to get a tutor. Although you mean well, you as a parent are an inherently uncool authority figure from whom no academic help is sought. By an adolescent’s definition, you can’t possibly know enough, you don’t understand, and you don’t get it.

A tutor is a neutral third party and not an authority figure. He walks the line between teacher and study pal. While not quite a friend, he is a model. If you are fighting with your adolescent about school, consider a young (but still qualified) tutor who can help your child relax but still maintain control of the session. Wouldn’t your math-hating, homework averse son rather hear, “Dude. You’ve gotta do this,” than hear, “How many times does your father have to tell you to get your work done?!”

Given your peace of mind and your child’s happiness and success, this is money well-spent.

Enrichment
Public schools are increasingly taxed with more requirements and more students, often at the expense of art, music, and science. A home tutor who offers a program in any of these can add to your child’s curriculum without you having to drive somewhere. However, be careful not to overload your child with extracurricular activities; children need time to play and relax!

Lazy/Unmotivated
After you’ve tried some positive reinforcement (“You can go to the movies.”) and then negative reinforcement (“I’m taking away your television.”) to little or no avail, a tutor might be able to help. If your child and the tutor connect, the latter may serve as a motivating model. You’ll probably want a multi-subject tutor.

Very involved in sports/activities; lack of study time
If your family has made a sport or activity a priority (vying for a scholarship, training for a major competition), you know that study time is short and precious. A tutor can make that time more concentrated and useful, especially if your son or daughter is tired by the time he or she gets around to homework.

None of these (so maybe you don’t need a tutor)
Don’t overload your child with education. Remember the value of play/relaxation time. Avoid the urge to make that B+ student get straight A’s just because you want to see all A’s. Balance a drive for academic success with satisfaction with a kind, well-rounded child who tries hard.

How much will I pay for a tutor?
In south Orange County, CA, tutors range from $10 an hour to over $60. A lot depends on experience, area, and services.

$10-$15/hour
A very inexpensive tutor is probably a high school student who does very well in a certain area and comes recommended by a teacher. If you have a well-behaved, responsible child who just needs help understanding the homework, this may be fine. Find out where they’ll meet: the library, on campus, or your house? Also, does the tutor have transportation? Finally, will he or she be available to help your child when finals are here, given she has her own finals to prepare for?

$15-$25/hour
Good tutors can be found through the Saddleback College Learning Assistant Program (LAP) (949-582-4519) or other local colleges. Usually this is someone who is very good at a subject and has been added to a list of tutors. At the LAP, the tutors have volunteered in the school’s tutoring service and are familiar with tutoring methods. Again, where will you meet? Will he come to your house, or do you have to take your child to the school or the library? What are you comfortable with?

$30-$40/hour
Tutors in this range probably have more experience and may offer more services. Some will drive to your home (an added convenience to you that should be considered), and many have supplies (reference books, games). Some will contact the teacher and learn more about your child’s needs. These tutors may or may not have teaching credentials, but usually they have or are majoring in the subject.

$40-$60/hour
Tutors who charge this amount most likely have credentials, many years of experience in their field, and perhaps an advanced degree. Others currently teach and just enjoy tutoring a few students on the side.

This group also includes specialists (such as for reading or pronounced learning issues). They have a great deal of experience in their subject. Often, they have small rooms set aside at home filled with materials.

If you live in an especially affluent area, a tutor may charge this rate because she can.

Another resource in this price range is the franchised learning center. Often these companies hire credentialed or expert employees. They have a wealth of diagnostic and study materials. However, they may teach in small group—not private—settings. Your child may be helped by one teacher assisting two other students who have similar or dissimilar work. Mathematically, he’s getting 20 minutes of dedicated time for your entire hour’s payment. If your son or daughter works well independently and simply needs extra practice, the supervised workbooks will probably provide that. But, if your child already struggles with the “sit down and complete this work” format, more dynamic, private tutoring may be a better answer.