What to Look for in a Tutor

• What is the tutor's educational and professional background?
• Is this tutor a specialist in one academic area?
• Has the tutor worked with kids like yours?
• How does she deal with unmotivated or resistant students?
• Are her lessons structured? Serious? Light? Flexible?
• Can this tutor offer many references for you to call?

GOALS
Some families have very specific goals: "We'd like our son to raise his SAT verbal score by at least 150 points." But many families' goals are less definable: "I want my daughter to be more confident about her reading," or "My son needs more personal attention than he gets in the classroom," or "My daughter needs better study skills."

Ask yourself: What do you hope your child will accomplish and by when? How will this tutor assess your child's needs? Will she be willing to meet with your child's teachers? Will she keep you updated about your child's progress by writing you, calling you or by meeting with you regularly?

It's okay to be unclear about your goals in the beginning. After working with your child, a tutor will be able to define how she can help your child reach the next level. Just make sure that you and the tutor know what each other's expectations are.

LOCATION
Ask yourself: What is the most convenient and appropriate tutoring location for you and your child? Will the tutor work with your child in a library or office? Your home or his? Will he charge extra if he needs to commute to you?

COST
Some tutors charge by the hour, some for a 55-minute session. And rates vary a great deal. Some tutors charge $30 per hour, while others charge as much as $120 per hour. You may be able to save money if your child has a friend with similar academic needs and your prospective tutor is willing to work with two children at once. My hourly rate for a shared lesson is only slightly higher than my rate for a private lesson.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Some tutors require that you cancel or reschedule within 24 hours of the lesson. Will you be expected to pay for missed lessons or for those canceled at the last minute?