My 17 year old step son just moved in with us from out of state and since he started the school year here so late and the graduation requirements are so different from his old high school and his new high school, he is feeling a little over whelmed and has asked for a math tutor. He is a junior, taking algebra, geometery and economics, all at the same time, which doesn't make sense to me as this would have never happened when I was in school but that was a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away- LOL. I was very impressed with him that he was the one to say he was struggling and needed help and that he has already talked to his counselor about graduating a semester early, so passing these three classes is a must. Luckily, I have several friends who are teachers, not math though, but they all gave me the contact information for either other teachers who do tutor or tutors who they have used in the past. I feel great that we have a list of them to check out, but what the heck do I ask them? This is all new for me as my other son is only 7 and hasn't hit the tricky stuff yet lol. Are there certain questions I should be asking? like credentials, referrences, etc? Obviously, I know to ask for price and schedule, but what else? Since I do have a list, I want to make sure I do the best comparison and pick the one that will help my step son the most. I have been helping him with his homework the last few nights and he seems to understand what I'm showing him, and I'm sure I could help him the rest of the semester, but I feel like he would be more receptive with a tutor, and since he asked for a tutor, not mom, I feel like a tutor is the way to go. So what do I ask them to make the best decision?
And what is a fair, standard rate for a tutor per hour? How many hours a week is usual?
Thanks in advance for all of your input, it's greatly apreciated.
Take care,
H.
Look into hiring an AP Calculus student at the school. Pay them $20 an hour. They have done the work themselves at this school and they know and remember it.
My daughter had a math tutor once.
I found her, because while at Barnes & Noble once, I saw her in the cafe with a student... and I observed her etc. So after, I approached her and spoke with her.
It turned out that she is a credentialed teacher, who is IN the school system (pubic school) that my daughter is in, THUS.. she IS VERY familiar with EACH grade level's requirements and curriculum. Thus, she could teach to that and teach the SAME methods that are taught at my daughter's school.
She told me, that per Tutors... if a tutor or learning center is NOT teaching a child to the school's curriculum/format/methods of math, that the child may still not, be real good at it in school. Because, school's teach a certain way per methods and if a child learns it another way, well, he/she will not be doing it, like the school or Teacher requires.
ie: I taught my daughter "my" way... that "I" learned in school. But in her school and per the way it is taught... I was teaching her wrong. Because in school, a student has to show their work/how it is derived and the approaches, they use, to then, derive and describe... the math problem and answer. They do not use drills or repetition nowadays. Not at my daughter's school. They do math in a whole other way and convoluted manner... but in a certain focus, of the way it is approached. It is not just about getting the correct answer etc.
Anyway, that is just what our experience was.
My daughter's math tutor was GOOD.
And she did not charge a lot.
In my city, rates for Tutors are even over $50-100 for 1 hour.
My daughter's Teacher, only charged $35. At that time.
How much they charge, does NOT indicate, quality of the Tutor.
Keep that in mind.
Or, go to www.khanacademy.org
Even Bill Gates, is a fan of this site.
It is free.
For ALL types of math and higher levels as well.
Many schools are adopting, this method.
Both my kids, who are 6 and 10, have also used this site and like it.
Even my Husband who was in college, referred to this site.
Talk to the guidance counselor. They keep lists of tutors and can help you formulate your questions. You want someone very familiar with the curriculum and books (and even teachers) at this high school, and someone whose personality and teaching methods are a good fit for your stepson. This boy has gone through a lot of adjustments, and I would think a private tutor might be better than a class somewhere.
And I agree, that sounds like a heavy course load! So if he's asking for help, get it for him. Maybe some extra help through the summer would boost his confidence as well as his knowledge.
My friend is a math tutor and she charges anywhere between $30-40/hr and $25/half hr for walk ins.
imo kids should take geometry before algrebra, and they should take pre-algebra before that. If he is quick to understand concepts, then he might be ok taking both classes at the same time.
When I was in HS, and taking geometry, I had to get a tutor. I think 1 hour was around $30, 2x a week.With 3 topics, you'll be looking at around 5+ hours a week.
1.Ask them what their math specialty is. You want a tutor that is comfortable helping in all three areas.
2. Ask them where they are comfortable meeting. (your house, the library, etc)
It's good you have friends who can give you contacts. Personally I would go with the ones your friends have used in the past. Since your friends recommended them I would go with them. It was very wise of your stepson to let you know that he needs help. Good luck!!
My daughters's math tutor charges $40 /hour. My daughter only goes to her the day before a test or if there is something she is struggling with. So it has only been a handful of times this year. Last year, she went weekly during the 4th semester because she really struggled with Algebra. Her tutor is a former HS Math teacher on permanment leave to raise her 3 young children. She is my friends's neighbor.
