So how can you get this done? If the tutor is already taking over where the teacher left off, exactly what can you do as a parent to add to the equation? Let's take a look at some ways you can get involved to help with tutoring success.

Choose the Best Setting for Tutoring

One way that you can take an active role in your child's tutoring success is by determining the best place for the experience to occur. Doing this takes knowing your child and can make a huge difference in how well he performs. For instance, your child might feel more comfortable in a private setting. Or you might find that your child flourishes more in a group environment. Making this initial decision might make the difference in you child's success and should be strongly considered before a final decision is made.

Discuss Tutoring Plans

Another way to make sure that you're taking an active role in your child's tutoring success is by discussing the overall plans for the experience. Because a tutor's role is much larger than being a homework aide, it will be up to both of you to decide just how your child's academic experience will be enhanced. This includes identifying your child's strengths and weaknesses, preparing individualized lesson plans for your child, and consulting on a regular basis with your child's teacher. The best direction to take to get all of this accomplished will need to be discussed between you and the tutor before getting started to ensure that the best learning environment will be achieved for your child.

Set a Timetable for Your Child's Success

One great way to make sure that your child finds success with tutoring is by setting a timetable or goal to reach for this success. For example, you know that a tutoring relationship usually lasts anywhere from a few months to an entire school year. Within this timeframe, how will you measure how successful the experience is? Will you request progress reports once a week from the tutor? The more active you are in measuring the tutor's success, the more success your child is likely to achieve.

Continue Your Involvement

While you may want to slow down your involvement once you see that the relationship with your child and the tutor is working well. But this is the time to remain as involved as ever. The tutor needs to know that you're readily available to discuss any issues that have come up in sessions. Also, your child's teacher needs to feel comfortable contacting you about the tutor. And most importantly, your child needs to feel comfortable knowing you're supervising the entire situation.

It may be tempting to allow the tutor to guide the tutoring experience, but it's important for both you and your child that you take the steering wheel. By playing an active role in your child's tutoring experience, you are that much closer to ensuring tutoring success.