mAke the grAde
HOW CAN MAKE THE GRADE HELP
YOU REACH YOUR GOALS?
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR CHILD?
We live in a very busy world. The demands on students: academic, athletic, extracurricular, and in the community often exceed the hours in the day.
Academic support and coaching, whether helping support a subject in which a student needs a boost, or help with general organization, or preparation for college entrance exams and college admissions essays, is an invaluable asset.
mAke the grAde will design a program customized to your student's ability, needs, and personal goals.
STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TUTORING EXPERIENCE
1. ASSESSMENT
Assessment involves a series of steps to determine the needs of the student. This includes a personal interview with the student and parents, as well as with teachers and other appropriate professionals. There is also a review of recent tests and other relevant work the student has completed. Students may also use testing materials specifically designed by Make the GrAde.
2. GOAL SETTING
A series of short-, medium-, and long-term goals are established. These goals may be multileveled and will be focused on results.
3. ESTABLISHMENT OF A SYLLABUS
Based on the assessment and goals, a syllabus will be established. Depending upon the amount of time committed to tutoring, this may be in the form of a monthly syllabus. Each tutoring session will have a specific theme or objective.
4. EVALUATION
At appropriate intervals, progress will be measured by both quantitative and qualitative methods. A determination will be made in order to set new goals and new objectives. Evaluation cycles are generally monthly, but may occur at either more or less frequent intervals, depending upon the student's rate of progress. Parents may request to receive a weekly evaluation, which will be sent via fax, phone, or email.
THE VALUE OF ONE ON ONE TUTORING
Everyone knows how important one-on-one tutoring is for a child having trouble with schoolwork.
The personalized interaction provides new learning "luxuries" that, understandably, are unavailable in the classroom:
Ability to work on any subjects of choice and to ask any questions freely Many children are afraid to ask questions in the classroom even though the answers might help them with their work. They believe the rest of the class understands the material, so their question will appear "dumb." One-on-one tutoring eliminates the fear of embarrassment.
Instant feedback on performance A child who is having trouble understanding his work needs to have constant assurance that he is doing his work correctly. With one-on-one tutoring, students are able to feel encouraged and are more willing to continue working when they know they are doing well
Freedom to work at one's own speed During one-on-one tutoring, students are free from the often-frustrating time constraints they experience in the classroom.
Close attention to individual learning needs A private tutor can help break down an assignment into manageable portions so that the student can successfully complete each step. Students can also be shown how to use their own particular learning styles to their advantage. Similarly, their areas of weakness can be identified and strengthened.
Undivided attention for the impromptu questions that feed one's intellectual needs A child is constantly pondering and puzzling about the world around him. He needs to have answers to questions that he himself has asked. An answer is so much more meaningful when the child has asked the question himself. There is rarely an opportunity for students to ask their individual questions in a large classroom setting.
Avoidance of the inevitable conflict that arises when parents have to help with homework at the end of a hectic day Need we say more on this point?!
There is another equally important, yet often overlooked use for one-on-one tutoring:
Assessment of, and attention to, a child's learning needs before problems arise Wise parents do not leave the initial development of their child's reading, writing, and math skills to chance. It is not unusual for a child to require one-on-one help to get off to a good start in these skills. And it is certainly not a reflection of their level of intelligence, or that of their parents, if they do need help.
While it may not be realistic to expect that a child can have a teacher to himself for a whole day, every day, it is conceivable that he might have one for an hour or so per week. An hour with a personal tutor can help prevent many potential problems from forming.
We all know that the most well-prepared children, both emotionally and educationally, are usually the ones who have received lots of one-on-one attention and instruction from their parents before the age of five. It only makes sense that this manner of teaching should continue into their school years. Even educationally handicapped children have been known to develop far beyond expectations from wise one-on-one tutoring
