How to tell if tutoring is working: A guide for parents
Measuring tutoring's effectiveness isn't always easy. While key indicators can include higher grades and stronger confidence levels, it pays to know how to track your child's progress so they get the most out of their sessions. Knowing if tutoring is working isn't always easy, so it's essential to communicate regularly with a tutor and set goals with them. An experienced tutor will give you regular feedback, be able to tell you what your child needs to do and set realistic goals and timelines with you and your child. Here's where to start.
How do I know if tutoring is working?
You can tell tutoring is working if your child shows improvement in the areas you are concerned about, whether exam performance, grades, or confidence in a subject. Look for:
1. More enthusiasm. Whether your child is more willing to participate in class or tackle challenging homework tasks.
2. Better understanding of concepts. Your child demonstrates a clearer grasp of complex subjects.
3. Homework completion. Assignments are completed more accurately and on time.
4. Development of study skills: Your child uses more effective revision strategies for retention and practice, such as past exam papers, flashcards, notes, and self-reviews.
5. Reduced stress. Your child appears less anxious about school and more confident in their abilities.
6. More independent work. Your child completes homework and revision independently.
How long does it take to see results from tutoring?
Results from tutoring are very dependent on your child's needs. Some children show improvement within 1 or 2 sessions, others within 6 - 8 sessions. It also depends on your child's needs and goals and how much work they do around their sessions. To see results, clearly define what success looks like with short-term and long-term goals, such as "I want my child to know how to answer examination questions/Revise in a multitude of ways/Gain a higher score."
Track progress with grades, test scores, or completed tasks, regularly check progress and adjust goals as needed to stay on track.
Shorter-Term Goals
These goals are actionable steps which will help build confidence in a shorter space of time and move towards longer-term goals:
1. Improve grades on the next test. Aim to raise a grade in a specific subject by the following assessment.
2. Fill a knowledge gap. Focus on understanding a challenging concept that they have trouble grasping.
3. Develop a study routine. Establish a consistent study/revision schedule focusing on the areas they need to work on.
4. Improve classroom participation: Work on contributing to class discussions.
5. Prepare for an upcoming exam. Focus on revising effectively with set revision tasks.
6. Build confidence. Work on feeling more comfortable and less anxious about a topic.
Longer-Term Goals
Longer-term goals focus on your child's overall growth and achievement: 1. Achieve a higher grade. Your child could aim for a higher grade by the end of the school year.
2. Improve academic performance across the board. Your child could aim to raise their overall grade by the end of the academic year.
3. Master knowledge gaps. Your child better understands a subject than they did at the start of tutoring.
4. Understand how to sit exams. This includes revision practice, past paper work and how to answer examination questions.
What if my child isn't improving with tutoring?
If your child isn't improving with tutoring, discuss their progress with the tutor. With them, you can adjust the learning plan and what's covered in each session. Gauge feedback from the tutor and talk to your child about why they feel sessions might not be working.
Sometimes, the tutor's teaching style does not match your child's learning style, or your child may not be working outside of sessions and implementing what they have learnt.
Another tactic is to change the format. If tutor sessions are online, try in-person tutoring (or vice versa). Some students thrive with one-on-one tutoring, while others do better in small groups.
How to help your child get the best from tutoring
To help your child get the most out of their sessions:
1. Ensure your child understands that they need to work outside and in sessions, especially with subjects such as maths.
2. Talk to your child about how they feel about being tutored, as they need to be willing to work with a tutor.
3. Ask your child if they prefer online or face-to-face tutoring.
4. Alleviate the pressure on higher grades by explaining the other reasons for working with a tutor.
5. Discuss progress, worries, and feedback regularly with your child post-sessions.
6. Ensure your child gets on with the tutor. Some children find it hard to get used to working one-to-one.
7. If your child is feeling burnt out or frustrated, a short break from tutoring might help them reset and return with a fresh perspective.
8. Speak regularly with the tutor for feedback and an idea of what's being worked on.