Once the decision is made to secure a tutor for your child, where do you begin your search for a great tutor? You should begin with the child’s school. Ask the school administrator, secretary, counselor, or the child’s teacher for names of local tutors. Check out the yellow pages and newspaper classifieds. Ask friends if they have used a tutor. Ask at local educational districts, private schools, homeschool associations, and special education organizations. Many of these are familiar with tutors in the area.

When you make contact with a tutor, what qualifications should you consider? What questions should you ask? Does experience matter more than credentials? Is personality the most important factor? Before you begin your search, you should have a general feeling about the type of tutor you are seeking Here are some key questions to consider and to ask of a potential tutor.

 Are you a certified teacher?
 What grade levels and subject areas have you taught?
 Do you have any experience with students like mine?
 Please describe your tutoring style and methods?
 Is your tutoring location private and free of distractions?
 Do you pretest and posttest to determine growth?
 Can you provide references?
 Are you willing to attend my child’s school placement meetings?
 Are you willing to communicate with my child’s teachers?
 Is a parent permitted attendance?
 Is there homework, and do I have any responsibility with it?
 What are your fees, when are they due, and what do they cover?
 Does my child need material resources for the sessions?
 Do you offer an orientation session to see if personalities work?
 Do you have a contract? If so, do you charge cancellation fees?
 What do I need to know about address, parking, and entrance?
 What times do you currently have available?

If you make contact with a tutor who is unable or unwilling to communicate reliable answers to these questions, perhaps it is better to move on. A professional tutor worth considering will be one who can provide the answers that best suit your particular needs.

For more articles about tutoring, see Tutor’s Resource.