Learning Centers v. Private Tutors: What’s best for your student?

​Identifying whether or not your student would benefit from working with a tutor is the first step. (We have a blog post for that, too!)
 
Once you’ve made the decision to get help for your learner, you’ll next need to make a decision about where to get that help. Third-party research overwhelmingly supports tutoring as the best educational option for additional help. Two of the most common and accessible options: learning center or private tutor.
 
Learning Centers
 
Overview:
A learning center typically follows a corporate-identified process for evaluation, onboarding, and teaching. Parents who take their students to a learning center can expect to go through an evaluation process. The evaluation is usually formalized and uses a number of multi-disciplinary assessments to identify academic pain points. The evaluation results in receiving a recommended roadmap or learning plan. Typically, the learning plan is then translated into a weekly tutoring schedule that outlines how long the program will take and how much it will cost for your student. Sometimes, depending on the learning center and/or franchise, a contract will be presented to the parent or guardian, and the program will kick-off using a structured, pre-determined learning approach based on your child’s evaluation.
 
Pros:

• A structured, pre-determined plan of action can provide some reassurance when introducing a tutoring schedule into your family’s life

 
Cons:

• Often times learning centers offer less flexibility and customization, which may be necessary for the success of your student especially if learning differences are part of the equation

 

• When a student goes to a tutoring center, they can be paired up with any available tutor meaning consistency and relationship building can be rare

 

• Learning centers aren’t always the most cost-effective and are generally more expensive than private tutors and parents must sign a contract

 
 
Private Tutors
 
Overview:
An experienced private tutor will offer a fully customized and personalized experience. Private tutors may be individuals who are equipped to teach out of their home, or perhaps career-tutors who are members of a small, local network of tutors, such as The Village Tutors. Private tutors will typically take a personalized approach to assessing the needs of a student. It may include asking a series of questions or completing a strategic task. A comprehensive, yet flexible plan is developed not using algorithms and data, but instead based on each unique student’s learning style and learning challenges. Ongoing and close communication with the parent or guardian is also a critical component to the success of private tutoring. While private tutors may outline a recommended learning plan, including estimated length of services, there is typically not a contract put in place. Instead, the progress of the student guides the way and determines the learning plan completion date.
 
Pros:

• Flexibility and personalization are inherent in private tutoring. From initial evaluation, to tutoring, to completion – the private tutor relationship is determined solely by the progress of your student

 

• Private tutors are typically more convenient (willing and able to work with your schedule) and cost-effective

 

• Private tutors offer your student consistent, one-on-one attention

 

• Private tutors participate in ongoing professional development so that they can leverage the most up-to-date, evidence-based methodologies

 
 
Cons:

• If your student thrives under rigidity, private tutors are less likely to provide this as they are focused on fluidly meeting the evolving needs of a student and their environment

 
 
Choosing a learning partner for your student that will be effective and tailored to their specific learning style can seem daunting. But rest assured, the right option will become obvious once you take the first step of evaluation.
 
To learn more about the approach The Village Tutors takes in helping your student reach their academic goals, visit our homepage or contact us directly.