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Free Tutoring Under the No Child Left Behind Law
Your child may qualify for free tutoring, but you need to know your rights and ask questions to get the full benefit of the services the law requires.
By Linda Strean, GreatSchools Staff
Read this article in Spanish >
Hundreds of thousands of students are eligible for free tutoring under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law, but less than 15% of them are getting it, according to the U.S. Department of Education. While districts have improved efforts to notify parents early in the school year that their children qualify for tutoring, this is still a problem, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported to Congress in 2006. Here's what to do if you think your child is eligible.
How do I find out if my child qualifies? Your district is required to inform you. Your state Department of Education also has this information.
Generally, your child qualifies if she is getting a free or reduced-price lunch and attends a Title I school categorized as "in need of improvement" for two years in a row. Title I schools are in attendance areas where at least 35% of the students and their families are low income.
Who provides the tutoring? Providers can be for-profit companies, nonprofits (community organizations or
Does Tutoring Work?
Students in low-performing schools made gains in math and reading after participating in tutoring programs, according to a 2007 study conducted by the Rand Corp. for the U.S. Department of Education.
A 2006 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on how the tutoring services requirement of NCLB is working recommends that the federal government give states more help and information on best practices to help them better deliver services to needy students.
colleges, for example), but they must be approved by your state.
Because of the millions of dollars available for tutoring, NCLB has created a boom in the industry, attracting some providers with little or no history of improving student performance. While it's up to states to monitor the quality of tutoring, most struggle to do so effectively, according to a 2007 report by the Center on Education Policy.
As private companies, school officials and government agencies argue over the rules, parents have to ask lots of questions to learn the full range of tutoring services available to their children.
How do I find a tutor for my child? Your state Department of Education is required to maintain a list of approved providers that shows which services are offered in your school district. Approved providers don't necessarily offer services in every community.
How can I be sure my child is getting a good tutor? While NCLB requires that classroom teachers have credentials, it does not set standards for tutors. That means parents need to do their homework to take full advantage of the law. Read Need to Get a Tutor? Here are Questions You Should Ask on GreatSchools.net for ideas about what to ask when you're considering a tutor.
Ask school district officials and tutoring service providers whether a tutoring program follows your district's program of instruction. It's also important to know whether a tutor will regularly communicate with your child's teacher and with you. Don't assume this will happen.
How is the school involved? Once a family chooses an approved tutoring service, the district contracts with and pays the service. A provider that doesn't help students improve for two or more years is supposed to be removed from the state list. The provider is required to set goals for your child in a meeting with you, your district and your child's teacher or principal, then report your child's progress back to all of you. You should ask how often you will get these updates.
Updated January 2008
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Comments From GreatSchools.net Users
11/17/2008:
"We are a military family and moved to Ohio in July this year. Three out of four of our boys are having problem's at school, the problems being that the school is not listening to us about the needs for our children. If anyone knows what is best for our children today, it is 'US' as Parents!! Our 4th grader has Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD. He has been held back once in first grade and he does have an IEP in place but the only special education teacher will help him with language arts class. I told them at the meeting that the doctor's and I agree that he needs to be in a Special Education class full time with the exception of music and gym. Did they do that? NO! Also, I told them that they need to incorporate his art into his lessons. Which they did agree but I have yet to see any of this happen. They also have put on his report card that he needs to be more organized and work harder and these are the classes that he is not getting extra help in. I am going to wai! t until the next progress reports come out and go from there. Now to our third grader, I was told after the first nine weeks that he is failing 3rd grade. What the hell? I too told them that he had received Title I services last year and was told by this school that the Title I services end after 2nd grade. I have never heard of this before. Have any of you?? Last, but not least, about my first grader. He was getting pretty frustrated this year trying to keep up with first grade. He too, was also receiving Title I service last year for reading and math. He is not receiving the Title I service here. The solution from this school was after the first nine weeks to put him back in kindergarten for the next nine weeks and do another assessment and go from there. Infact, they did not even wait for my husband and I to tell them yes or no on that issue. I just would like to know why our schools do not want to listen to the parents regarding their children. We do know ! what our children's needs are! So I did some research. I hav! e made the decision to enroll my children in the k12 virtual academy. They too work with your child's needs, whether it be for Title I services or special education. It is for free here in Ohio and they send you every thing you need for your child to learn from home and also send your child a computer and printer. The only thing that I worry about is the socialization that they need. I am starting with our youngest first and then our third grader. I am not going to let my kids get left behind no more!!!"
11/17/2008:
"After reading all the parents concerne, i understand America's Publics Schools needs help. As a parents we need to stand up for this probleme. Thank you "
11/6/2008:
"PLEASE explain to me how the law, NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND can still leave my child behind?? We make too much, but not enough to afford a tutor. My child is ADHD. It is a daily struggle. She needs the extra help, but she does not qualify. Her parents make too much (but not enough to make ends meet) therefore, it is ok for her to be left behind? Nobody at her school tutors, except high school kids in the morning & they are just getting out of class. She is going to end up repeating this grade, because she cannot get the extra help she needs. I work with her everyday. She needs someone who truly can teach her with her disability. So, I say, No Child Left Behind, HA! "
11/5/2008:
"I have a 9 year old in the 4th grade, she has been doing after school tutoring, that the school provides to the students they feel need it the most, for the past 2yrs. This year she still continues to struggle with her math. I dont want my child to fall behind, she's a bright girl, and I know she can do better, but I just get to upset and frustrated to help her. How can I get her into a tutoring program that will work?"
10/6/2008:
"I have two granddaughters who are in dire need of tutering.One was kept back in 2nd grade,and at open house her teacher expressed great concern. My second grand daughter told me she is having difficulty. My daughter would qualify for help.Now what can I do to help her get help?"
08/5/2008:
"i live in alleghany county and i have a son in the 11 th grade who has yet passed a s.o.l.'s test since the 3 rd grade so does he still get to grad. with his class even if he is passing the courses not that sol's.last year i learned a lot about the school like you go to them and ask for certain things to be done to help your child and the learning dis. teacher is to lazy to do it.or they try to talk you out of what you want done because it makes the school system look bad for having L.D students and their grades as on their report cards look bad .so the schools have really left our childern behind when you shovel these childern on out as fast as you can."
07/14/2008:
"I live in North Carolina and here is a prime example of a child being left behind. My son has failed the ninth grade two years in a row. He desperately needs tutoring, but according to your information, the only children who can receive tutoring are the ones who receive free or reduced lunch. My son does not meet that qualification. He also needs to retake courses in order to catch up on credits, however, the school system does not offer summer school. What can I do as a parent to get him close to being where he needs to be?"
07/11/2008:
"Reading more of Reources, I finially got the right answer . Thank you"
06/20/2008:
"T0: (The school system DOESN'T CARE.) I live in NC also, and I had the same problem. I could not afford to send him to a private school, so I finally pulled him out and home schooled him. He has made tremendous improvements and he is happier, and adjusting very well. There some private schools that inexpensive,so it would be worth your time to check it out. I had to deal with the same situation and I didn't get much help. So you really have to fight hard for your child, and it will not be easy, but you shall overcome the situation. Just take advantage of the Home School resources that are out there that can help you. Best Regards, Smith "
06/3/2008:
"The school system DOESN'T care if your child gets the 'Basics' from school. All they care about is pushing kids to pass the EOG test. My son is in the 4th grade. He has been tested and does not have a learning disability. He is classified as a slow learner. So...in a nutshell that means that we do not receive any help with basics. I mean the very basic areas reading, writing, and math. I have tried everything that the school system has asked me to try, nothing is working. What rights do I have in NC? I am my child's advocate...if I don't fight for his education, who will? "
06/2/2008:
"In the information you provided who qualifies for tutoring is written like this: (Generally, your child qualifies if she is getting a free or reduced-price lunch and attends a Title I school categorized as 'in need of improvement' for two years in a row. Title I schools are in attendance areas where at least 35% of the students and their families are low income.) I find that to be unacceptable. I have a very hard time making ends meet, and when I read this statement, (which I read on the report the school sent it out to us.) to be ridiculous!! What is this article really saying? Because you are poor, you are less likely to achieve academically? If our schools are failing to teach our children in the areas that are needed for them to achieve, then most likely they aren't reaching those, (I quote) that are above poverty level either. It is really sad that the government picks up thousands of dollars for congress to take luxurious cruises or rushing to the aids of others ove! rseas. If you are going to assist in other foreign nations, why not the war in Uganda, or the starving people right here in America in the mid-western state, or the Appalachians. In my opinion, it is not political enough. This is what I call 'Political Smoke Screening'. Who are they trying to appease, while our educational system fails at an alarming rate. Tutoring should be accessible to all children, because it is not only those who have lack that are suffering, it is also those who are unable to meet their daily expense due to the increase of cost living expenses such as: the ever increasing gas prices, food and lacking sufficient income. The expense for a private tutor for their child would only add more stress to an already hard working couple trying to keep ahead of their bills.. Come on America, Our children are our futures investment. The law says our children must go to school or you will go to jail. We all need to look at our present situation and stop sayin! g that it’s not my problem!! But, have you ever considered ! that it is your problem, and if we don't deal with it today, it will come back to haunt us later!! America, take time to access the problem; make a differents. One more thing to think about; I took time to examine some the private schools and many of them are very expensive and have allot of students and do well academically. Why are their schools doing better then the public schools? Now please, don't say it is the money, because many public schools, not all, but many spend anywhere from $3,200, $6000 or more per student. So should they rank just as high as some of those private schools? Sounds like mismanagement to me. Or, it just like the prisons, 'It all about business', Big Money for someone..... HMMMM! Thank you for your time "
04/29/2008:
"My daughter is 14 years old and has been retained twice. she is in the seventh grade. What can i do to help her get back on tack and get her back, or even close to her right grade."
04/24/2008:
"I am looking for a handwritting tutor to work one or two days a week with my 9 yr old (he is now in 3rd grade going into 4th grade nest) Where can I find a tutor. He does not have special needs, just really sloppy handwritting and is very slow. He struggles. "
04/22/2008:
"My child is suppose to be getting help for a reading disability. An aid in reading when she needs it and extra help,but she is still bringing home papers that read, 'does not take time to read'. Becauase of this her grades are seriously lacking. NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND! Riight. "
04/7/2008:
"Who provides the tutoring? how do I help my child?"
04/7/2008:
"my son is going to be held back in the 2nd grade ,after the first 6weeks his teacher said he didn't know his first grade work ,and after 6 months and many visit's and pleading,for some in school tudoring , his teacher is tudoring him once a week , WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE,he can't read well because he doesn't have a reader to bring home ,WHY i don't understand ,what happened to the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ,I AM CONCIDERING HOME SCHOOLING, MCGAHA"
04/3/2008:
"This Program is not worth your time of looking into. I was told my children could not get any tutoring because they were not with a Title 1 school. One of the questions that were asked to the Clark County School District Administrator was' Is the program called 'No Child left behind' or No School left behind'? The entire program is based upon the school not the child as an individual. So if the school doesn't 'qualify' for tutoring, the children are still left behind! For the children that does not attend a Title 1 school will still be 'left behind'! This program is useless to the children that are striving to pass with an understanding to what they are learning. "
03/26/2008:
"My son also has many of the problems I read in the feedback notes. I have constantly been at the school to try and find out what could be done to help my son. He has problems with spelling and reading. The best answers they gave were 'have you thought about medication?' or' I think he's just lazy.'Are there any tutors that we can use for our area, in Hampton SC district 1. I asked last year but was told they had never heard of 'free' tutoring."
03/26/2008:
"My child has a learning disability and I requested information on tutoring for my child. I was told my the state that there was no tutoring for my child. The school system has no tutoring. Since my child has a learning disability, do she still qualify for free tutoring?"
03/25/2008:
"My son has many educational gaps . He is in need of a tutor. He also is going to have to be a cyber student because he has severe anxiety and depression. We are low income. Are there any free tutors?"
03/19/2008:
"I'm concern with my 5 yr old she is in grade K and she is having a lot of trouble to keep up. I have approach the teacher in different ocassions but her answer makes me feel like she has given up on her. My girl has problems with spelling she gets a test every Friday but most of the time she does not pass it also she knows how to count to 100 but she has trouble recognizing the numbers what could I do. I ask the teacher if she taught my daughter could have a learning dissability but her answer was I don't know but If you ask me I think she is just lazy. I have personally noticed that she is easily distracted, if she don't know the answer she would not say a word because she is afraid. Also she transposes letters and numbers constanly. Is there any way you could help me."
03/19/2008:
"shes been having trouble in math due to her 1st grade teacher an she is curently in 3rd grade now an despertly needs help how can i get her help and where do i go to get her help? she went to summer school last year and it did not help her now this year there saying she needs it again for her to pass and we fill like why should she go if its not helping her at all?"
03/18/2008:
"I am really greatful for the information I have gotten off this website due to the lack of help from my childs school, thank you. I have a six year old who was diagosed with adhd but he is on track with the average six year old. However he is still immature for his age and his school is not helping me find tutoring or any other programs that may get him to a better educated level for his age. They want to fail him do to his maturity level. I am really getting feed up of these school not giving parents the imformation that they have the right to know about. He is in first grade and he has the right to be tutor so that he may pick up on anything he may not have understood in class that day. I feel our school are robbing our children of their right to have educational help. And we as parents should fight back for our children with learning disabilities. "
03/18/2008:
"I need some help with getting my son in school. His principal just keep giving me the run around. My son is not suspended, but the principal don't want him there. He said I need to put my son in another school. He said because of my some learning pace he will fail him, but if he go to another school, then he would go to high school for next term. He sent my son home for the Christmas break 12/2007. Now everytime we send him back to school, the principal call for us to pick him back up. All he says to me is that he don't have time to deal with this right now. I tried to report it to the school officials . I recieved a call from the pricipal saying that I was trying to get him fired and that my son is no longer welcome there.I can go on with what all he said and did. I just know that the action that he took was really just wrong. My son needs to be in school and I am trying everything to get someone to look into it for me. I have never heard of this ever happening before. He h! as my son down for being absent all these days. He did have the school counslor call me with some recommendations. Her advice 'Let him live with his dad in the county so he(my son) can go to a school out there.' I ask her to send to me in the form of a letter with her recommendations by mail. I have never gotten it as of date. In the mean time..my son is still out of school for no legal reason at all. Please someone help me."
03/17/2008:
"My daughter needs help in Math and Writing, how can I get some local help for her? Without it costing me a fortune."
03/17/2008:
"My son is in tutoring twice a week and iam conserend that he might need to be in a special class and was wondering how we would go about it, and if you offer any?"
03/11/2008:
"I have a 10 year old in 4th grade and he has never really done that good in school,he is a class clown.He is intelligent but i dont know how to further his education ,to benefit him in the future.He is already showing signs of having a major attitude problem.I wasnt good in school myself and i never received help.I still am not good at booksmarts.I want my son to take adifferent route. Please help"
03/6/2008:
"I need information on getting geometry tutoring for my son who is in the 10th grade if you have any info you can send me it would be greatly appreciated. Could you also please send me so info on the No Child Left Behind program and how that works. Thanks"
03/5/2008:
"I need a tutor for my son he has been having some issues with some of his test taking and I need help my husband and I are both in careers right now where it is kind of hard for us to get the time to spend with him we have four other children in the home and I am expecting one this July please if you can send me some info regarding a tutor for Kindergarten student .Thanks and God Bless "
03/5/2008:
"I'm just confirming what I understand about free tutoring under NCLB, which should be re-named 'No SCHOOL Left Behind', since it focuses more on the the school's status rather than the individual child's status. Anyway, from the article it seems the only way to qualify for free tutoring is if the child is from a low income family or from a poorly performing Title I school. Is this correct? Is there nothing provided in terms of free, individualized tutoring for a child who does poorly on the NCLB standardized testing and has either an IEP or a 504? If so, does that make any sense at all?! Couldn't some of that funding that is un-tapped (85% mentioned in the article) be used to help this group of kids? How would I go about taking steps toward making this logical, but I'm sure almost impossible, thing happen? "
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