First, a tutor is much more than a ‘homework helper.’ Tutors offer flexible, individualized instruction and personal attention that a busy classroom teacher simply can’t provide. If your child has fallen behind in math, for instance, a tutor can identify their learning gaps, design a curriculum that reviews mathematical concepts and problems, and patiently work with the child until they master each lesson.
Another reason to consider tutoring services in middle school is to prevent the learning loss that happens during summer break and midterm vacations. Regular tutoring sessions can give your child a head start on mastering the concepts they’ll be learning in the next semester.
First, if students don’t fully comprehend basic mathematical concepts that build upon each other, they may easily get lost as instruction becomes more advanced. Here’s a typical example: if “Johnny” doesn’t really understand decimals, fractions, and ratios by eighth grade, Algebra 1 in 9th grade may seem overwhelming.