Regardless of whether you homeschool or send your children to a local school, you want the best education for them. However, even when children receive exceptional instruction, some struggle with completing their coursework. Your child’s grades may slip, he may spend an excessive amount of time on classwork and homework; and despite studying, he may perform poorly on tests. This scenario is frustrating for children and a cause for concern in parents, but help is available.

Tutoring can assist students in becoming independent learners, help them thrive in school, and result in higher grades and test scores. Tutoring is effective because students receive personalized instruction and they’re allowed to progress at their own pace. Tutors possess the talent and expertise to evaluate a child's weaknesses and strengths, and based on this assessment, provide individualized support. Your child not only receives assistance and guidance, but also develops strategies for performing better on standardized tests.

Even if your child needs tutoring, he’ll only benefit if you select a suitable person for the job.

1. Local School Program

Speaking with your child’s school is an excellent starting point because many schools have on-site tutors. Some schools even provide free tutoring sessions to students under the No Child Left Behind Law. But regrettably, not every school or child meets the requirements for the program. Typically, children who qualify must receive reduced or free lunch. Children who attend a Title I school may also take advantage of the program. Title I schools are those “in need of improvement” or schools with a sizable percentage of students from low-income families.

If your child doesn’t qualify for free tutoring, the school may organize alternative programs, such as peer tutoring for middle and high schoolers (where students fulfill the roles of academic tutors). Other schools have parents and teachers who volunteer to provide tutoring after school.

Contact your state Department of Education to request information on approved tutors in your school district.

2. Learning Centers

Signing up with a learning center is an additional possibility if your child needs a tutor, but price could be an issue. Because learning centers recruit licensed professionals and supply an abundance of resources and educational materials to strengthen your child’s comprehension on tough subject matters, they typically charge more per hour.

Tutoring can cost as little as $10 to $15 per hour or up to $75 per hour depending on whether sessions are conducted with a student or a certified teacher. An indispensable advantage of working with a learning center is that these experts have the training to develop a program to help your child reach his academic goals. Learning centers hire specialists from various backgrounds, and there are tutors available to assist your child in more than one subject, including foreign languages.

Since many centers only hire certified teachers, your child receives coaching from someone who’s qualified to help them succeed. Some centers are also prepared to assist children who have special needs, ADHD and learning disabilities.

3. Private Tutor

Although learning centers are an invaluable resource, the cost doesn’t fit into every family’s budget. Learning centers have significant overhead, so they have to charge more for their services. If you cannot afford a center’s cost per session, a private tutor is worth consideration—although you’ll have to qualify candidates on your own.

Search within your network. If you’re looking for a private tutor, begin the search within your personal network. Spread the word and let family, friends, coworkers and neighbors know that you need a tutor for your child. Do you know someone with a background in education? If so, see if this person offers tutoring services, or maybe they can offer a recommendation. Likewise, speak with other parents and ask for referrals. If they’ve had success with a private tutor, you might have similar success with this person.

Locate a private tutor online. Websites like Care.com and University Tutor can assist in your search and help you find a local tutor in minutes. Provide the subject, your city and state, and then browse profiles of potential candidates. In some cases, you can even read reviews written by past clients. You can learn a lot about private tutors from these sites, such as their age, subjects of expertise, years of experience, education background, hourly rate, etc.

4. Qualifying Private Tutors

While some schools and learning centers conduct background checks on their tutors, realize that many websites that offer match services do not require background checks. It is your responsibility to run a background check and ask important questions to ensure you're choosing the right person. For example:

Where will tutoring sessions take place?
What methods and strategies do you use?
How can I help my child after each tutoring session?
When should I expect to see progress?

In addition, ask about credentials during the interview process and get proof. If you need an English tutor for your child and an individual claims to have a degree in English, ask for a copy of their degree. Also, don’t forget to ask for references. Ideally, you should select someone with tutoring experience. Calling references helps you assess whether the tutor is competent and effective. Did other parents see improvement in their child? How long did it take to see this improvement? Would they hire the tutor again?

It’s also important to choose a tutor who has experience working with children in your child's age group. The strategies a tutor uses to help high school students may not necessarily work when assisting younger children. Tutors must be willing to adjust their methods according to each child’s age and ability. If your child’s tutor isn’t adaptable, your child may not benefit from the sessions.

In the beginning, sit in on sessions or remain within earshot. You don’t have to be present for every meeting, but your presence from time-to-time is how you assess the effectiveness of the tutor. You can also ask your child for feedback.

Is he comfortable with the tutor? What does he think about the tutor’s methods? Most importantly, does your child think he’s progressing? Don’t expect considerable improvement overnight, so give the tutor ample time before questioning any strategies. Of course, if you believe tutoring is unsuccessful after many sessions, don't hesitant to find a new person.Tutors use varying methods and strategies, and sometimes, children respond to a different approach.