FAQ
What qualifications and experience do your tutors have?
Our tutors are highly qualified teachers with over 20 years of experience in education. For more detailed information about each of our tutors, we encourage you to visit our About Page, where you can learn about their individual qualifications, expertise, and teaching philosophies.
How do you ensure that tutoring sessions are engaging and motivating for students?
Ensuring that tutoring sessions are engaging and motivating for students is one of our top priorities. To achieve this, we employ several strategies. Firstly, we conduct interest surveys to understand what motivates each student individually. Drawing on our years of experience, we tailor our approach to incorporate activities and materials that align with their interests and preferences. Additionally, we integrate self-regulation strategies to help develop intrinsic motivation within students, empowering them to take ownership of their learning journey. By combining these methods, we strive to create dynamic and stimulating tutoring sessions that inspire students to actively participate and achieve their goals.
What is the cancellation policy for tutoring sessions?
Our cancellation policy requires cancellations to be made at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled tutoring session. This policy allows us enough time to fill the reserved slot with another student in need of tutoring. Unfortunately, cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled session will result in the retention of the tutoring fee. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to this policy.
How do you handle missed sessions or rescheduling?
We understand that unexpected circumstances may arise, but missed sessions or forgotten appointments impact our ability to serve other students. Therefore, if a session is missed or forgotten without prior notification, we will need to charge for the missed appointment. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring the smooth functioning of our tutoring schedule.
How do you handle scheduling and flexibility for sessions?
At our tutoring center, we offer convenient online scheduling for all tutoring sessions. Through our website, you can easily view available time slots and select the one that best fits your schedule. However, if you prefer to speak with us directly, you are more than welcome to give us a call, and we can assist you in scheduling your session. We recommend checking our website first to see what time slots are available, as it provides the most up-to-date information and ensures a seamless scheduling process.
Should I attend my child's tutoring sessions, or is it better for them to work one-on-one with the tutor?
Regarding sitting in on tutoring sessions, we leave that decision up to the parents. Some students thrive with parental presence during sessions, while others do better with one-on-one interaction with the tutor. Ultimately, we respect the preferences and comfort level of each family and strive to accommodate their needs accordingly.
What practices does Read-Write Tutoring prioritize?
At Read-Write Tutoring, we prioritize the use of evidence-based methods to enhance literacy skills. Our tutors are proficient in evidence-based strategies and curriculum, including the UFLI Foundations, Reading Simplified, Secret Stories, and SRSD Writing curriculum, which have been proven effective in teaching reading and writing. In addition, we integrate practices aligned with the Orton Gillingham approach to further support our students' literacy development. *Our tutoring services utilize curriculum materials from various educational providers, including UFLI Foundations, Reading Simplified, EBLI, SRSD Writing and more. However, we are not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of these curriculum providers or any other curriculum providers. All curriculum materials are used solely for educational purposes to enhance the learning experience of our students.
How do you integrate various curricula into your tutoring programs?
While we incorporate elements from various curricula such as UFLI Foundations, Reading Simplified, Secret Stories, and Self-Regulated Skill Development for Writing into our tutoring programs, we are not official representatives of these curricula. We adapt and integrate these methodologies based on their effectiveness and relevance, drawing from our experience. *Our tutoring services utilize curriculum materials from various educational providers, including UFLI Foundations, Reading Simplified, EBLI, SRSD Writing and more. However, we are not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of these curriculum providers or any other curriculum providers. All curriculum materials are used solely for educational purposes to enhance the learning experience of our students.
How are tutoring sessions tailored to individual students?
We understand that every student is unique, which is why we begin with foundational skills screening assessments to identify individual strengths, challenges, and goals. Our tutoring sessions are meticulously tailored based on these assessments, ensuring that each student receives targeted instruction catered to their specific needs.
What is the process for matching students with tutors?
At our tutoring center, we take a personalized approach to matching students with tutors. We carefully assess each student's needs, learning style, and academic goals through a combination of assessments and discussions with the student and their parents. Additionally, we consider the expertise and strengths of our tutors to ensure the best possible match.
Can you accommodate students with special needs or learning differences?
Yes. Our tutors are trained educators with extensive experience working with students across a spectrum of learning differences. They are adept at differentiating instruction and employing various teaching modalities to cater to individual student needs. Whether it's ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning challenges, our tutors are skilled at providing tailored support to ensure every student can thrive academically.
How do you assess a student's progress?
At our tutoring center, we employ a comprehensive approach to assess a student's progress. During each tutoring session, we utilize formative assessment techniques, such as observing student performance and interactions, to guide instruction in real-time and inform our next steps. Additionally, we maintain records of progress through various methods, including skills mastery progress monitoring, regular phonics screening, and oral reading fluency assessments. Furthermore, we use performance rubrics, work samples, and goal analysis to evaluate progress specifically in writing. By utilizing these varied assessment tools, we ensure a thorough understanding of each student's development and tailor our instruction accordingly.
Are there opportunities for parental involvement or feedback?
Absolutely, yes. At our tutoring center, we firmly believe that a partnership with parents is crucial for a student's success. We recognize that parents know their child best, and we highly value your input. As for parental involvement, we encourage and welcome feedback from parents regarding their child's progress, learning goals, and any concerns they may have.
What is your approach to homework assignments and follow-up between sessions?
At our tutoring center, we emphasize the importance of homework assignments as a crucial component of making rapid progress. Since tutoring sessions occur only once a week, completing homework is imperative for achieving swift advancement. We assign specific homework tailored to each student's needs and learning goals, ensuring clarity with detailed instructions and providing a method for monitoring completion weekly. Upon the next session, we check in on the completed homework, providing feedback and support as needed. To motivate students, we incorporate incentives for completing homework, making the tasks both enjoyable and educational. Our goal is to make homework not only doable but also fun, fostering a positive learning experience outside of tutoring sessions.
What measures are in place to ensure the safety and security of students during tutoring sessions?
At our tutoring center, the safety and security of our students are paramount. We maintain a safe and welcoming environment by implementing several measures. Firstly, all our tutors undergo thorough background checks and screening processes before joining our team. Additionally, we ensure that tutoring sessions are conducted in well-lit, designated areas with appropriate supervision. We also have clear protocols in place for emergencies and have trained our staff to handle various situations. Furthermore, we closely monitor the interactions between tutors and students to ensure professionalism and adherence to our code of conduct. Lastly, we encourage open communication with parents and welcome any concerns or feedback they may have regarding their child's safety during tutoring sessions.
Can tutoring sessions be conducted online or in-person, or both?
At this time, we exclusively offer in-person tutoring sessions. While we may consider offering online tutoring in the future, we firmly believe that in-person sessions are the most effective for providing personalized support and fostering student engagement.
Are there any additional costs beyond the enrollment or session fees?
Unlike other tutoring businesses, we do not charge for enrollment. However, there may be optional materials and learning apps that we suggest as additional items to enhance the learning experience. These are entirely optional, and the cost will vary depending on the specific materials or apps recommended.
How do you communicate with parents about their child's progress and areas for improvement?
We believe in transparent communication with parents regarding their child's progress and areas for improvement. To achieve this, we conduct ongoing progress monitoring throughout the tutoring sessions. Additionally, we provide detailed written reports on your child's progress every 6 weeks. These reports will outline their achievements, areas of improvement, and any recommended adjustments to the tutoring plan. We also welcome open dialogue and encourage parents to reach out with any questions or concerns they may have at any time.
Can you provide references or testimonials from previous clients?
Yes, we would greatly appreciate that. We understand the importance of transparency and trust in our services. We actively seek feedback from our clients and welcome testimonials to showcase the experiences of previous students and their families. These testimonials will be valuable additions to our website, helping prospective clients gain insight into the quality of our tutoring services.
What should I do if I suspect my child has dyslexia?
Oregon schools do not diagnose dyslexia. Parents can request a special education evaluation at any time. However, this is different from a private dyslexia evaluation and the school assessment team will need to go through a lengthy process of determining if your child qualifies for special education. Dyslexia can be diagnosed by a Licensed Psychologist (PhD) or Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) but this can be expensive.
Even though teachers cannot diagnose dyslexia, they are in position to administer a dyslexia screener and notice when a student exhibits signs and symptoms. If your child exhibits these signs, we recommend getting your child the help they need from an educator who uses a multisensory structured language approach. At Read-Write Tutoring, our tutors are trained in this approach. Keep in mind that a diagnosis is helpful but not required in order to get the help your child needs.
Is it true that reading disabilities can not be diagnosed until 3rd grade?
Many parents and educators are erroneously told that dyslexia can't be diagnosed until third or fourth grade. Please do not buy into this myth - it can be detrimental for your child. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reading disabilities can be diagnosed as early as kindergarten. If the signs and symptoms of a reading disability exist, don’t wait, intervene early!