Budget buster- tutoring

[stichy]

DS is having some trouble in school this year. We are in the process of having him tested for learning disabilities. We wanted to cover all the bases so we took him to Huntington Learning Center to be evaulated. I got the results back today. He needs 130 hours of tutoring. It's going to cost 7k. If we pay all up front we get a 10% discount. That comes to just a few hundred $ lower than the cruise vacation I was going to pitch to DH tonight. Scrap that plan. It looks like our plans for an out of country vacation may be scratched for next year. The closest we may be getting to a foreign country might be the world showcase. We would only needs a room and money for food. Luckily right now we have some extra money set aside for taxes so we can pay upfront. DH's bonus next year can replace the money. Last weekend the cars needed $800 of work to be able to pass inspection. When it rains it pours.

 

[lisaross]

Wow...did u look into getting tutoring else where - perhaps a teacher ask around! Good luck!

DS is having some trouble in school this year. We are in the process of having him tested for learning disabilities. We wanted to cover all the bases so we took him to Huntington Learning Center to be evaulated. I got the results back today. He needs 130 hours of tutoring. It's going to cost 7k. If we pay all up front we get a 10% discount. That comes to just a few hundred $ lower than the cruise vacation I was going to pitch to DH tonight. Scrap that plan. It looks like our plans for an out of country vacation may be scratched for next year. The closest we may be getting to a foreign country might be the world showcase. We would only needs a room and money for food. Luckily right now we have some extra money set aside for taxes so we can pay upfront. DH's bonus next year can replace the money. Last weekend the cars needed $800 of work to be able to pass inspection. When it rains it pours.

 

[stichy]

We talked to a teacher from school and she charges pretty close to what the learning center charges plus we can get him 6 hours of tutoring a week through huntington. They also have a structured game plan to close the gaps. It will take about 5 months. It just seems like huntington is the best option.

 

[dzorn]

DS is having some trouble in school this year. We are in the process of having him tested for learning disabilities. We wanted to cover all the bases so we took him to Huntington Learning Center to be evaulated. I got the results back today. He needs 130 hours of tutoring. It's going to cost 7k. If we pay all up front we get a 10% discount. That comes to just a few hundred $ lower than the cruise vacation I was going to pitch to DH tonight. Scrap that plan. It looks like our plans for an out of country vacation may be scratched for next year. The closest we may be getting to a foreign country might be the world showcase. We would only needs a room and money for food. Luckily right now we have some extra money set aside for taxes so we can pay upfront. DH's bonus next year can replace the money. Last weekend the cars needed $800 of work to be able to pass inspection. When it rains it pours.

Why would you not check around other places?

They know he needs 130 hours how?

Sounds like a rip off to me.

Denise in MI

 

[hentob]

DS is having some trouble in school this year. We are in the process of having him tested for learning disabilities. We wanted to cover all the bases so we took him to Huntington Learning Center to be evaulated. I got the results back today. He needs 130 hours of tutoring. It's going to cost 7k.

Call the school right now. You pay taxes. Your child should be evaluated by the school and they will address his needs. It is free. It is the law.

 

[hentob]

Why would you not check around other places?

They know he needs 130 hours how?

Sounds like a rip off to me.

Denise in MI

 

[hentob]

We talked to a teacher from school and she charges pretty close to what the learning center charges plus we can get him 6 hours of tutoring a week through huntington. They also have a structured game plan to close the gaps. It will take about 5 months. It just seems like huntington is the best option.

Yes, teachers tutor outside of school and yes it costs big bucks. But if your son has a learning disability, the school MUST accommodate him.

 

[simpilotswife]

Call the school right now. You pay taxes. Your child should be evaluated by the school and they will address his needs. It is free. It is the law.

 

[DawnM]

Test FIRST!

My son has some learning issues and while tutoring may complement his learning, no amount of tutoring will bring him to the level of his peers....it just won't!

What subject/s does he need help with? It might be best to invest about $100-$200 in a program you can implement with him at home.

Dawn

 

[DipsyDoodles]

Yes, teachers tutor outside of school and yes it costs big bucks. But if your son has a learning disability, the school MUST accommodate him.

Once it's determined he has a disability then he will get accomodations in the classroom or outside the classroom depending on the severity of his disability. Until then, you have to do what you think is right for your child. My child is on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in school because she has a learning disability in Math. Although I think the accomodations and services my child is receiving in the classroom are adequate, I believe she also benefits for some "outside of school" assistance which is why she sees a tutor as well. We pay for the tutor as she does not qualify for services outside of school time. You should do what you can afford. I have to say I would be a bit skeptical about paying for all those hours up front. What if the tutoring or center is just not a good fit for your child? I would think a teacher would be more beneficial as they knows exactly what he is working on in school. "Learning Centers" are not bad they just usually have their own curriculum and it may not mirror what you son is doing in school. Best of luck to you and your son, you are his biggest advocate, if you don't think the school is doing enough to accomodate his disability, speak up.

 

[DawnM]

Oh, whoa, wait a minute.

You were *tested and evaluated* by a company that makes money off of you coming in and using their services.

DO NOT GO BY WHAT THEY SAY!

What test and evaluation did they give him?

I would see if you can get him tested with the Woodcock-Johnson or any other tool that will show specific weaknesses.

I am a licensed school counselor if you want to bounce any ideas off of me, please ask.

Dawn

DS is having some trouble in school this year. We are in the process of having him tested for learning disabilities. We wanted to cover all the bases so we took him to Huntington Learning Center to be evaulated. I got the results back today. He needs 130 hours of tutoring. It's going to cost 7k. If we pay all up front we get a 10% discount. That comes to just a few hundred $ lower than the cruise vacation I was going to pitch to DH tonight. Scrap that plan. It looks like our plans for an out of country vacation may be scratched for next year. The closest we may be getting to a foreign country might be the world showcase. We would only needs a room and money for food. Luckily right now we have some extra money set aside for taxes so we can pay upfront. DH's bonus next year can replace the money. Last weekend the cars needed $800 of work to be able to pass inspection. When it rains it pours.

 

[MomToOne]

DS is having some trouble in school this year. We are in the process of having him tested for learning disabilities. We wanted to cover all the bases so we took him to Huntington Learning Center to be evaulated. I got the results back today. He needs 130 hours of tutoring. It's going to cost 7k. If we pay all up front we get a 10% discount. That comes to just a few hundred $ lower than the cruise vacation I was going to pitch to DH tonight. Scrap that plan. It looks like our plans for an out of country vacation may be scratched for next year. The closest we may be getting to a foreign country might be the world showcase. We would only needs a room and money for food. Luckily right now we have some extra money set aside for taxes so we can pay upfront. DH's bonus next year can replace the money. Last weekend the cars needed $800 of work to be able to pass inspection. When it rains it pours.

I'm mother to a child with a learning disability. We've been down this road and I learned these centers do not do a proper evaluation of your child, but will tell you that they can "fix" whatever they do claim to find for a very nice cost. Problem is, if it really is a learning disability and your child hasn't just fallen behind because of non-learning disability issues, many of these programs won't help at all. Been there, done that, have $2000 less in my bank account because of it, and my child had NO improvement because the core problem wasn't being addressed and they weren't equipped to deal with it. When I told them what testing finally revealed, they had never even HEARD of the problem she's been diagnosed with (APD). The techniques they were trying to use on her based on their "testing" were actually completely contradictory to her problem. (Note this was not Huntington, but all of these type of chain centers use some flavor of the same techniques. Only exception would be Lindamoode-Bell, but that's another discussion)

I would suggest hiring a private tutor if you feel the need to jump on something before you can have full educational testing done on your child (preferably someone with teaching credentials since you suspect a learning disability - this is above what a local teenager can handle). Testing should be either through the school system or privately through properly trained professionals. But really your emphasis needs to be on getting the testing done, so that you know what problem you are/aren't facing.

 

[TI double GGER]

Have you checked with the local high school or local churches? My daughter tutored through both during her teens. After graduating from college she worked for another well known company which she said was a total ripoff, they cared way more about the money than the kids. Just a buyer beware, look around a bit, then do what you think is best for your child.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Call the school right now. You pay taxes. Your child should be evaluated by the school and they will address his needs. It is free. It is the law.

ITA! THere are often tutoring programs through the school, and if not, many teachers tutor for extra money. My mom (teacher of 20+ years) tutors year round for a LOT less than the "centers"!

 

[budbeerlady]

Ouch, that is over $50 an hour?!??!?!?

It was suggested when Dd was younger that she have some math help. We were able to get a list from the school of some teachers and college students who might be able to help. The school also stepped up and worked hard with Dd and a few others to keep them up with the class. The tutor we chose was a grade younger math teacher that Dd really liked, she would stay after school with Dd and do each week for a couple of months. Very helpful and I paid $15 a session, which was an hour.

I would ask if the school or teacher has such a list for you and have the school do an evaluation. You are trying to get your child the best help available and help them succeed, maybe someone else can do it for much less than $7,000.

 

[palavra]

Is there a local college or university nearby? Sometimes, students will tutor for a small cost.

Some parents prefer to get outside tutoring because they don't want their child to be tested or have an IEP. ANd, if the student is only deficient in one or two areas, one on one tutoring is probably the way to go.

 

[bumbershoot]

We talked to a teacher from school and she charges pretty close to what the learning center charges...

But is she telling you right now exactly how many hours he will need? Probably not.

I don't know how old your son is, how many years of NO problems there have been (vs this year's problems), etc etc...but I'd go with someone willing to take it one session at a time.

Our landlady's teenage daughter suddenly was failing math. It was to the point where she wasn't on track to graduate 1.5 years from then. DH is really good at math, and can train or teach anyone (except me) anything. So our landlady hired him.

She did pay him $50 per session! That was awesome! We really needed it at the time. It would have been lovely to know that we were going to get that for 130 hours.

But...it took about 10 sessions (probably less, actually, but it felt like 10 sessions to me), and suddenly it all clicked for her, and she started doing well! He was figuring out, each session, what she needed, and was helping her figure it out for herself. He wanted her to succeed. That was more important than x hours set in stone.

I'd find someone like that...no contracts, just individual attention and the wish to celebrate when if/he doesn't need the tutoring anymore, not grumbling b/c he didn't go to the end of the contract.

 

[MomToOne]

Some parents prefer to get outside tutoring because they don't want their child to be tested or have an IEP. ANd, if the student is only deficient in one or two areas, one on one tutoring is probably the way to go.

Even if your child is deficient in only one or two areas, I highly suggest getting tested. A problem may appear in only one subject area initially, but quickly grow to affect other areas.

If you don't want the school system to know the results, there are plenty of ways to have your child properly tested through private professionals. If you have a local university, check with their Education Department to see if they have a clinic where graduate students do the testing as part of their training, under the guidance of full professors.

 

[robinb]

I agree with the people who say it's a rip off. My DD has had a tutor over the last two summers and I paid $20 per hour. I know it all depends on your location but I think that you can do a LOT better than $50+ an hour.

Ask your teacher for recommendations, ask your kid's friend's parents, ask any student teachers, ask at your local college. Your son can still get the help he needs without completely busting your budget.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Get him tested first and then if they find it necessary, get an IEP in place. Once that is done, he can start to get the help he needs through school. This doesn't mean he will never need tutoring, but the school may even be able to provide it.

My daughter has an IEP for reading comprehension and math, with math being her absolute weakest point. All last year the school was able to provide after school tutoring by a teacher at no cost to us in addition to her in-school accommodations. They also provided us with a name of a tutor we could hire if we felt it was needed.

There is no way anyone can tell you at the outset how many hours of tutoring your child will need.