Why choose a personal tutor instead of a tutoring center?

It is so important to choose the best learning environment for your individual student. As you are considering your
options, keep in mind some of the differences between the various tutoring businesses.

1.  Tutoring centers (chains and franchises) use what they call a “prescriptive program”.  Initially, they give each
student a multiple choice test. For each question missed on this test, the student will repeat the concept
numerous times using a series of drill and practice worksheets.  He or she is then given a quiz on that concept.  
If the student doesn't pass the quiz, he or she will continue repeating worksheets until they do  pass the quiz.
These centers use a lot of repetition in an attempt to “drill it into the student's head”.  Research shows that such
tutoring approaches do not improve reading skills for students having difficulty learning to read with traditional
methods in school.

A personal tutor can individualize instruction and can teach the student directly, without reliance on multiple
choice tests and worksheets.  A personal tutor can also use a variety of approaches and is not limited by the
methodology of the center.  A personal tutor is concerned with student progress not adherence to a learning
system or the accomplishments of the founder of a center or producer of curriculum.  The best judge of a
teacher's ability is the success of his students, so an independent tutor chooses materials carefully.  Your
personal tutor at ACTS uses the methods backed by scientific research.  To see which methods work, click here.

2.  Students at these centers will often work in groups of 3 or 4 with each student  working on a different skill. The
learning portion of the sessions in these types of centers often last about 50 minutes, so each student in the group
receives an average of less than 17 minutes of individual attention from the teacher.

A personal tutor will usual work one-to-one with a student giving his undivided attention for the full session.  Tutor
Advantage does include a small group option money-saving alternative for parents.

3.  Cost is an unavoidable consideration for most parents.  A center has operational costs that are usually much
higher than a personal tutor has.  Franchise fees, advertising, expensive facility, insurance, teacher salaries, and
more.  The result is that a personal tutor often costs less than a center even though they offer more individual
attention and often have more personal experience and may be better qualified than the facilitators hired to work
in learning centers.

4.  Many centers aim at teaching subjects and filling gaps in information acquisition.  Often, students remain
dependent on the tutor in order to stay on grade level after they have "caught up."  The Tutor Advantage goal is for
the student to become an independent learner and our strategies are based on this goal.  We offer educational
therapy as well as traditional tutoring, we coach students until they can apply their learning skills to all subject
areas.  This is especially important when dealing with dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, and SLD's.

Some chains focus on enrichment (Kumon), some on "skill" building and content knowledge (Sylvan), while others
do address learning strategies.  Your personal tutor does offer skill assessment, skill building, and even
homework assistance if requested, but the Tutor Advantage is that your personal tutor will address ALL of your
child's academic needs.  We offer accelerated programs, but we also offer reading therapy, increased cognitive
ability, and more.  See our Programs & Rates page for details.

5.  A personal tutor can often tutor you in your own home, or in another location of your choice, which is a service
not available from most learning centers.  The best tutoring environment will be a quiet one without environmental
distractions.  The Tutor Advantage personal tutors offer both in-home and tutoring at our location.  There are pros
and cons of each choice.  We can also work with your child's daycare center or even at your office!
The Tutor Advantage
Academic Consulting and Tutoring
(321) 960-8109
Melbourne, FL  32935
tutor@tutoradvantage.com