Questions Parents Should Ask When Hiring A Reading Tutor?
1. Who will TEACH my child? …a tutor? …a computer? …paperwork?
More often than not, you will find centers using computer or paper programs as their main teaching tool, qualifying them as “student-paced” or “student-led.”
You will also find that the teachers who are there, are there to help as they travel from student to student or when needed, like a tutor.
2. How much of the hour is actual Instruction time?
Know and be comfortable with what you are paying. Do you want to pay for independent work, worksheets, assistance, computer work, or actual instruction?
3. What is the Curriculum?
What they do with your child should not be a mystery. You should be able to know and see exactly what your child is doing and where he or she is headed.
4. Will your child’s progress be measurable?
It’s one thing to know that your child is doing “better” but it is more valid to know exactly how far he or she has progressed.
5. What are the terms of terminating the program?
Know what you’re getting into and for how long. Life has its twists and turns.
What if you need to terminate service or what if you want to terminate service? Find out and be comfortable with those details before making an agreement.
Questions To Ask About the Academic Associates Reading Program?
1. How long does your program take?
Ultimately this depends on the pace of the student. Some students catch on quickly and others move more slowly while others will need to have learning disabilities diagnosed before any progress can be made.
That said, it usually takes 30 to 60 lessons, each one hour long, to complete the program.
2. What do you mean there’s no contract?
There is no legally binding document for you to sign, allowing you to quit whenever you need to.
We do however have a courtesy policy that we have each client agree to before the first lesson.
3. Will you talk with my children’s teachers to develop a learning plan, or address my child’s learning issues?
Yes, we would be happy to communicate with your child’s teacher. But, we will do so only if you give permission.
4. Do you teach other subjects?
Currently we only teach reading and math skills.
5. How many times a week do students attend tutoring?
Usually twice a week. For high school and college subjects the frequency is determined by the students needs.
6. Do you have reading groups?
No. We have found one-on-one instruction is more beneficial to the student.
7. What qualifications do your teachers have?
All of our reading instruction specialist are certified to teach the Academic Associates Reading Program™ and are supervised by a New York State Certified Teacher. All of our teachers are background checked and tested for drugs.
8. Do you tutor in the student’s home?
Normally we don’t, however we will if that is the best situation for the student. Special arrangements can be made.
9. So what if my child is a little slow in learning to read?
Parents–do not delay in helping your child! If a child gets behind in reading, he may start to think he is not as smart as the rest of his classmates, or begin to harbor a negative attitude towards school or learning in general.
It is estimated that the academic futures of 25-40% of American students are endangered because they do not read well enough. Don’t let your child become a sad statistic. The good news is that, in a very short time, your child’s life can be fundamentally transformed for the better–forever!
10. Can students with learning disabilities ever learn to read?
Yes, it just may take them a little longer. Recent studies show that nearly every learning disabled student can learn to read if taught by the logical, sequential, comprehensive, step-by step phonics method used by Academic Associates.
Our unique method teaches learning disabled students to begin reading simple words immediately. They progress steadily and before long, most can read every word in the English language. Then they learn to understand what they read.
11. What’s the best age to teach children to read?
We love teaching four and five year old students, because, when children are given a proper foundation with synthetic phonics, they do not develop the “learning disabilities” engendered by conventional instructional methods.
Typically, Academic Associates graduates start kindergarten or first grade with the ability to read at the second or third grade level. The earlier children start, the better their chances of success.
At Academic Associates, we teach children of four years and older so they can get a substantial head start in school and in life.
They can already read books by the time they start kindergarten. Of course, our time-tested method works as well for older students and adults.
12. Why are you so positive that you can teach everyone to read?
Because our Academic Associates course has worked for every student we’ve ever taught. Like our five-year-old students who know things about reading most adults don’t know, or our fifth graders who read high school words.
It’s a simple, effective, natural method that works with the brain, instead of against it. From years of experience, we know there is only one reading method that works every time, with every student. No other method even comes close. Please see the “Scientific Evidence” page for more information and explanation.
13. What is the cost of your program?
Our rate is $45 per hour of one-to-one instruction. There is a one-time cost of $45 for the learning materials. We offer payment plans to make our programs affordable for all.
We will never require you to commit to a long-term contract.
14. Where are you located?
There are Academic Associates centers all over the U.S. and in many foreign countries. We are located in Shirley, New York.
We serve the towns of Mastic Beach, Mastic, Moriches, Center Moriches, and East Yaphank.
Children love the secure, relaxed, non-institutional environment, and parents love the fact they are not forced to pay the higher fees that are usually charged by franchised learning centers.
15. What is the Parent’s role in the Tutoring process?
Tutoring isn’t a magic bullet, so parents play an important role in helping those lessons stick. Ask the tutor for suggestions on how you can support your child’s learning. Better yet, check in at the end of each session to find out what your child is expected to do before the next one, whether it’s practicing her multiplication facts or completing all of her classroom assignments
If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to call us! (631-281-0036)
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