Beginning the School Year with a Tutor- What to Consider.

Parents often struggle in deciding whether to begin the year with a tutor on board or to wait to see how their student does in school and then make the decision. For student athletes with practices, or drama rehearsal after school, the fall can start to feel very full. Our recommendations on what to consider:

What grade is the student entering?

For elementary or middle school students, we encourage families to make a decision based on what works for the family. Struggles in early grades can often be reframed as a learning experience by a parent or teacher and may not require engaging a content expert early on. If a parent has the bandwidth to find extra support or challenge inside school or at home and also feels they are able to monitor progress, then we recommend holding off on tutoring. A trained elementary or middle school tutor can step in later, if needed.

For high school or higher, however, beginning the year with a tutor is often a better choice.  We are frequently contacted by families whose student’s grades have dropped significantly.  Playing catchup for the remainder of the marking period can be stressful and overwhelming.  While we believe that experiencing a bit of failure can lead to growth for many students, for others, it is counterproductive or even damaging to their confidence as learners.

Will the student be going through a transition in fall?

When a student has been receiving tutoring and is getting ready for a transition to a new level in school (e.g. middle to high school or high school to college) or going through a significant challenge (e.g. illness or divorce), we recommend that families keep tutoring in place for the first part of the school year. Typically, this means through October or the first marking period.  

Does the child have learning differences or other issues that will impact their education?

Students can benefit from some time to establish a trusted tutoring relationship at the start of the school year if they have a learning difference, executive skills deficits, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, significant medical issues, or mental health struggles. When a student with such challenges becomes overwhelmed by school content and organization, finding a tutor and establishing a network of support on top of their workload can compound stress. Therefore, in such cases, we advise that students begin the year with tutoring in place and lessen the support once it is apparent that it’s no longer necessary.

How does the student handle stress?

Finally, consider how the student reacts to stress and their ability to push themselves when life is challenging. Do they shut down, ignore homework, avoid school altogether, or become withdrawn? Or do they dig in, meet with teachers regularly, or form study groups? Having a tutor in place can help guide a student through turbulent times as they develop resilience and solidify healthy habits.

At Liddane, our goal is to be honest and encourage families to do what’s best for their child. We value being a part of students’ lives and want the absolute best for each of them.  You can be assured that we will give you a genuine answer if you choose to discuss this with a tutor or with Andrea.  We are always willing to be a sounding board - reach out if you need anything. And have a great back to school season!