Would you spend $4000+

[MissDiznee66]

on a tutoring system for your child? This is what my cousin is wondering about. She has a 9 year old who is struggling in math. He has been for a while and she just doesn't know if it would be worth it. It is through one of those "learning center" places and I asked her if it is guaranteed? She doesn't know. She was shown the letter where people were very satisfied with the program but when asked where are the dissat's they said this is all they have. I don't know. I guess if it will make school easier or more likeable for the child it would be worth it. But she is still taking a chance on spending 4k. :shrug:

 

[tigsmom]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. That is a lot of money and from what you told us I just don't get a good feeling about it. How long is the program? How often do they meet? Guarantee? All of those answers should be given up front on the first phone call/meeting.

If she hasn't already she should look into what programs her district offers in regards to helping students improve, the ones on our district are free.
There are many retired teachers and older students who do private tutoring for a much lesser fee. She could ask at the school or advertise.

Spending that much money would be my last option.

 

[BRER STITCH]

NO.

$4K is far too much to spend on one class.

Math is something that can be worked on over the summer at home. Hopefully somebody He lives with can review the math text with Him, focusing on the sections He is having difficulty with.

We did this with my nephew, who was always struggling to pass math and it worked fine. I realize results will be different with every child, but it sure seems worth a shot before spending that kind of dough with no guarantee possible.

Use the $4K, instead, to reward (bribe) the kid with a trip to Disney World when He gets a B or better in Math next year!

GOOD LUCK!

:wave:

 

[Nemo14]

I worked briefly teaching math at one of those centers, and frankly I would not recommend it. Although they eventually do improve scores, the same results, if not better, can be achieved with a private tutor. I'd say to check with your local community college if there is one - quite often there are students there who are willing to tutor, or check with her school department for a tutor.

 

[MissDiznee66]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. That is a lot of money and from what you told us I just don't get a good feeling about it. How long is the program? How often do they meet? Guarantee? All of those answers should be given up front on the first phone call/meeting.

If she hasn't already she should look into what programs her district offers in regards to helping students improve, the ones on our district are free.
There are many retired teachers and older students who do private tutoring for a much lesser fee. She could ask at the school or advertise.

Spending that much money would be my last option.

They would meet with her 4 hours/week until the 115 hours recommended is completed. From what THEY say THEY guarantee it. Although, I will tell her to ask what if it doesn't work? But I will also tell her to contact the district as well. And she did put up advertising at the local college for a tutor, they went through a couple but neither really panned out. In dealing with a very quiet shy child it has to be the right person to make a connection.

 

[MissDiznee66]

NO.



Use the $4K, instead to reward (bribe) the kid with a trip to Disney World when He gets an B or better in Math next year!

GOOD LUCK!

:wave:

Good idea. :wave:

 

[kstella]

My DD also really struggled in math in elementary school to the point we wondered if she would be permitted to advance to the next grade. We worked with her at home using workbooks, especially over the summer. Now she's in middle school and has made not a complete turn around, but is so much more improved. I would advise hanging onto the money and spending a little more parent-child time, which is hard in today's world, and wait it out. Elementary school is not the time to start panicking about grades, but something to be aware of. If it continues into middle school, then they might want to look into other options, but most school districts offer extra help with no extra expense.

Bribing wouldn't have helped my DD. She couldn't have tried any harder. She just didn't get it.

 

[Nemo14]

Let me preface my next remarks with this: I have a BA in math, taught successfully for several years, and am married to a veteran junior high math teacher.
That being said, the math that our kids are taught today is not the math we grew up with, and many curricula have been designed by people whose ultimate goal is to just be different for being different's sake. It's no wonder kids get frustrated with math at an early age, when so many confusing methods are being used by people who really don't understand the reasoning behind it. For some mysterious reason, it seems that math is always the target for these new and innovative approaches without truly preparing the elementary teachers for it. It seems that every generation has its own "new math", which is rather ironic, considering that math itself basically never changes.

*steps off soapbox*

 

[kstella]

I agree. When my kids started learning multiplication, I made up the standard multiplication table for them to learn off of. What happened to the basics?

 

[Shere_Khan]

I feel that you would get the same results in hiring a private tutor to help the child for much less money. Not sure if you live near any colleges, but there are always starving students who are more then capable and need the money. I was one of them not too long ago. Try and find someone who is in the teaching program or who has their degree.

 

[Nemo14]

I agree. When my kids started learning multiplication, I made up the standard multiplication table for them to learn off of. What happened to the basics?

When our daughter started 2nd grade, she knew all of her multiplication facts. By the time she finished 2nd grade she couldn't do them without a set of "manipulatives" in front of her. It took us all summer to undo that!

 

[Experiment 626]

When my son was younger (he's almost 15) he had some trouble with math. We actually went and bought a computer game called Cluefinder's for him to play. He actually like playing the game and continued to play even after the top age for it.(I even played it. It was a fun game.) It did help him with his math skills. This year (9th grade) so far he has a B in math. There are other math games with different titles for different ages so you will want to look. I looked at Amazon.com just now and there are quite a few to chose from. And they are a lot less expensive. You still might want to look at tutors but this would be something that your child could do anytime.

 

[EPCOT.nut]

Another NO.

There are tutors available for much cheaper.

Also the parents should be able to learn the math and teach the child. What about the parents meeting with the teacher and having the math explained to them so they can teach their child.

Unless the parents are millionaires or very well-off, no. If the parents can learn this they can teach their kid.

 

[tink68]

My DD is almost 12 and has always struggled with math. I asked alot of her teachers about a place like that and they all told me no. Their exact words were, "waste of money". Now I am sure it does work for some people but I personally do not have that kind of money. Her teachers recommended a woman who is a retired teacher and my daughter has been working with her for years now. She goes once or twice a week for one hour at 30.00 an hour and it has worked miracles. She is now doing algebra and making A's. Good luck. :wave: