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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why might tutoring help?
Individualized, private tutoring has consistently been shown to help our student clients, over the years, because they receive personalized attention in the areas of need from a highly experienced, specially credentialed teacher. Study skills and remediation of problem academic areas are included, so the student can rapidly make progress. The student is taught strategies to approach his/her schoolwork that work to improve learning, even when away from the tutoring session.
During the current school year, many schools will be cutting out the personnel who provide extra help and classrooms will be overcrowded. Students may experience learning problems and those who already have these may find they receive less help than before.
San Diego Tutors is committed to making a difference in your child's life and future, by providing a level of excellence that can produce astonishing results. Many of our clients end up above grade level, rather than below, as they were, initially. Our intervention often improves self-esteem and opens doors far into the future!
This may be the best thing you can do to enhance your child's academic future!
Can you describe the methods and materials used?
Our approach is individually designed to make maximum progress. Tutoring approaches and educational recommendations are based on Mrs. Brinchman's extensive experience with helping students with learning problems, rather than the "cookie-cutter" programs often used by franchises. A variety of interesting materials may be utilized to enhance learning, including hands-on manipulatives and multimedia. We teach methods that students can use to assume more confidence and independence with their work.
Where does the tutoring take place?
San Diego Tutors in-person tutoring and educational consultations take place in our eastern La Mesa office, local libraries (by arrangement), or you may choose our online services for older students.
Who will provide the services? What are the tutor's qualifications?
San Diego Tutoring and Online Resource Teacher consults is owned by Susan Brinchman, who is the primary educational consultant and tutor. Mrs. Brinchman has a Master's Degree in Educational Technology with 6 current California credentials and certificates, including credentials in Special Education Learning Handicapped and Severely Handicapped, Elementary Education and Social Sciences; certification as a Resource Specialist, and teaching English as a Second Language. With 25 years of experience in the classroom, including being a Resource Specialist & a General and Special Day Class teacher, Mrs. Brinchman has helped thousands of students succeed. She specializes in learning problems, with fast results that are often amazing to the students' parents, regular teachers, and principals. Contracted providers with extensive experience and excellent references may be utilized with specific cases, by arrangement.
What is the online tutoring like?
Online tutoring is provided for students in grades 2-6, using Internet programs that allow face-to-face, real-time interaction and viewing of worksheets and materials, utilizing video, audio, a webcam, and microphone. Children work on school subjects in the comfort of their homes or from any desired location, without the need to be driven to our office. Their regular tutoring schedule can be added to, as needed, for special projects or difficult assignments. Students may be scheduled from 3/4 hr. - 5 hrs. weekly. In addition to receiving help with school subjects, online tutoring students benefit from learning how to use advanced computer technologies.
How might my child feel during tutoring?
Our students are always very happy to be receiving help in a positive atmosphere! As they gain confidence, through skill building and learning better methods of organization and approaching their work, they feel encouraged. Success is praised and reinforced.
What can students receive help with?
Reading problems are a particular specialty, as well as Written Language, Handwriting, Spelling, and Math. We can work on learning problems of any kind, including attention and learning disabilities. We assist with any school subjects (grades K-8th*), including homework or classwork, as requested by parent(s) or teachers. We can communicate with teachers on a regular basis, if desired. If a student has an upcoming quiz, test, project or report, these can receive attention and may be worked on in our tutoring sessions. Additional sessions are available, on an as-needed basis, to prepare a student for tests and reports.
* K-8th grade General Math is covered. Some high school students accepted, based on needs and availability of tutors/service providers.
When does the tutoring/homeschool support take place?
Tutoring is offered in the afternoons and early evenings (M-Th) and by arrangement, on Saturdays 10-5 PM. Homeschool support is offered in the mornings and early afternoons. During summer, vacations, and holidays, services are offered on a flexible schedule, from 9-7 PM. We are available year-round to assist your child !
Please note: openings are limited, so check with us as soon as possible, when you need help. We will make every attempt to work with your schedule!
What might I expect as an outcome of using San Diego Tutors' services?
In the past 25+ years, our methods have consistently produced very significant academic progress, increasing independence and success for students, and parental relief - because the student is more confident and begins to assume more responsibility for his/her schoolwork. Teachers often comment in amazement at the change in our clients and grade point averages often rise - many times, for good! We have seen many great success stories with our students.
How long might it take to show progress?
On the average, in our experience, following several initial tutoring (non-testing) sessions, progress is noted by parents and teachers ... following two to six months, very significant progress is often noted, particularly for those students who attend regularly, meeting our minimum hours per week. Of course, the more instruction (tutoring hours) a student receives, the more opportunity that exists for rapid improvement. Ongoing support is essential to maintain student success. Suggestions for home followup activities are provided, when desired, which contributes to the pace of improvement.
Important: Students who attend tutoring consistently, each week, have the most opportunity for progress.
How many hours will it take, per week?
Students in grades K-1 attend for a minimum of 1 hour, once per week. Students in grades 2-8 attend for a suggested minimum of a 1.5 hour session once per week (1 hr is also an option)*. The suggested time ensures that enough instruction is received to benefit the student. Many students attend for 2 - 3 hours weekly, to ensure the quickest progress. Our methods are interesting to the children, so they don't mind being in tutoring for 1 (K-1), 1 - 1.5 - 2 (2nd-8th) hours per session.
*Note: Recommended time periods may vary, based on number of subjects to be covered, known achievement gaps, and testing results.
Students who are behind in reading or math by several years, or more, often benefit from double the amount of hours, above (ie. 2, 3, or 4+ hours per week, when possible). It is an investment worth making!
We recommend that you try us out to see what a difference we can make in a short period of time! Our current clients and references will confirm this, as well!
How does this type of service differ from franchise-based tutoring?
Tutoring franchises often depend on inexperienced personnel with few qualifications, rather than experienced, highly qualified teachers. At San Diego Tutors, we provide optimal conditions in which to conduct the tutoring. Our sessions are private and individual. We often serve clients who failed to improve after many thousands of dollars spent on franchise tutoring - and the frequent comment is, "I wish I had heard of San Diego Tutors before we spent $8,000 at _SSS_ (franchise)."
How many tutors are there?
Mrs. Brinchman is the primary service-provider and business-owner. There are also a number of other highly experienced, Special and General Education teachers available as San Diego Tutors' providers, for various parts of the county, as needed.
Is the overall cost more or less than franchise-based tutoring? What are the prices?
San Diego Tutors' pricing is competitive with that of experienced teachers, though Mrs. Brinchman's background is more comprehensive, as is that of our highly experienced, contracted teachers. We cost less, overall, than many franchise tutoring companies that hire inexperienced teachers and tutors. Our contract is much more flexible, also.
Can tutoring costs be tax-deductible?
If your child has certain types of disabilities and a Special Education IEP, some tutoring costs may be tax-deductible, if recommended by your physician, under recent Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) legislation. Check with your accountant, we cannot provide tax advice.
2011 - 2012 School Year In-Person Tutoring Pricing:
$55 hour (flat rate) In eastern La Mesa office, local library or mutually agreed-upon location) add $5 travel fee for locations beyond 5 mi. radius of office/tutor.
Hours by arrangement: suggested: 1 hr. once or twice per week for grades K-1; 1.5 - 3 hours per week for grades 2-8
Minimum is 1 hour per week, 4 weeks per month
Prepaid monthly or weekly, by arrangement
$25 materials fee per subject, per semester
Students must be up-to-date on vaccinations to attend In-person Tutoring.
2011 - 2012 Educational Consultation Pricing:
In-person, Student History Review, Student Assessment, and Consult: $90.00 hour (for non-tutoring clients)
Full Educational Consult: 5 hours / $450
Full Educational Consult and Evaluation (w/ formal report): $650
IEP Planning/Advocacy/Attendance at IEP meetings: available, by arrangement, for tutoring and non-tutoring clients, at Consultation prices above, w/travel fee
Includes Homeschool Consultation and Support
Phone Consults: $45.00 for 30 minutes, nationwide
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