Sylvan Learning Centers

So DS #2 is a bright little cookie, but really discouraged by 2nd grade. He is a good kid, no behavior issues at school, at all, but has slowly become disenfranchised with all that is expected of him at school. His grades have gone from satisfactory to mixed to now mostly poor. His reading skills, particularly comprehension, are on the lower end of "acceptable" and I think that hinders him in all subjects considerably. To me, it is obvious that he is a tactile learner and our traditional education system is not a good fit for him. I really want to nip this in the bud before it gets worse. DS #1 is in the 3rd grade so I can see what a huge challenge it is going to be for Ben if he doesn't improve his skills quickly before next year. Neither DH nor I believe he has a learning disability and he doesn't test low enough for the school to provide resources/testing and frankly, I want to keep anything we do out of the school system.

Do any of you have any experiences with Sylvan or Huntington Learning Centers? I don't have any IRL friends who have used them, so am curious. BTW, I have tried working with him at home and its basically a disaster on many levels.

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

A friend who is a teacher worked there or somewhere similar to make some extra $$. As Lily said, other than the crappy pay, she thought it was ok.

Do you have a Kumon in your area? I've heard good things about that.

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

If you are near a university, you also could try the graduate school of education. You may be able to find a student who is a master's candidate in reading acquisition skills, who you could pay to privately tutor.

I hope you are able to find someone/something to help. I used to teach remedial reading skills--years ago, when I was a high school teacher. It is so empowering for kids when they feel like they CAN DO IT and achieve in school. I'm so sorry that your little one is having problems.

(And, FWIW, I'd be sure to get his vision checked, too. Both my dad and my DH really struggled in school with reading until they were each tested for glasses in the third grade. Then, whammo!, with glasses, their ability to read the board and participate improved, and it really helped.)

[Phoebe]

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

Kumon is widely used here, especially for Math. What about using a school teacher over the summer? I know that wouldln't help right now. I completely understand how hard it is to work with your child. My kids want nothing to do with us (well mostly me) when it comes to learning. Avery is a tactile learner as well. We asked for a teacher who used a hands-on approach to teaching or a variety of mediums with the hope that she wouldn't just get a talker since auditory is her weakness.

Sorry I never answered the question.

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

We have Mackenzie, my 11 year old in Sylvan 2 days a weeks 2 hours at a time for math. She is a straight A student except for math. She is in her 3rd month so far and I am not extremely pleased with her progress. She is supposed to be enrolled for 70 hours for about $3K. Her grade has not come up in math. She is so far behind that I don't know if it will help. I think a private tutor would have been the way to go.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

Private tutoring all the way! My MIL had my BIL (soph in HS) enrolled in Sylvan for a while when in grade school, and has since stopped and does subject-specific private tutoring. It has made a HUGE difference.

I do/have done private tutoring for a variety of subjects, and I like the really individualized, person treatment that I can give! Also, I'm not sure what the "qualifications" are to teach at those tutoring centers - I'm almost positive that you don't have to be a certified teacher (or have taken education classes). As a classroom teacher, I feel I have a better skills set and a more varied arsenal of tools to use to help a student in a tutoring situation!

Good luck!

[Pollyanna]

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

(And, FWIW, I'd be sure to get his vision checked, too. Both my dad and my DH really struggled in school with reading until they were each tested for glasses in the third grade. Then, whammo!, with glasses, their ability to read the board and participate improved, and it really helped.)

YES YES YES!!! I took our third grader to get his vision checked this year because he seemed so tired while reading, something just wasn't right. I should note that he passed all vision screenings at school. Anyway, the doc discovered that he was near sighted but at the same time reading was hard for him because his eyes didn't focus correctly. Long story short, the glasses have made a HUGE difference for him. It is amazing what a difference a small correction can make.

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies. Abigail - good point about the vision testing. Ben has had screenings before but never a full blown exam. And DH is blind as a bat.

Trisha - what you describe is exactly what I am fearful of - no progress with lots of time and money spent - not to mention the fact that for Ben, I think he really needs some sense of success/accomplishment.

So far I have been assured that all Sylvan tutors are certified/licensed teachers although that doesn't guarantee they are any good - atleast it is something.

I will look into Kumon - I have never heard of it here - but according to their website
we do have a center about 11 miles away.

As of now, we are scheduled for a 2 hour assessment tomorrow at Sylvan with no obligation to purchase a tutoring package. I have asked Ben's teacher for another conference - she isn't available for 2 weeks. Grrr.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

I have asked Ben's teacher for another conference - she isn't available for 2 weeks. Grrr.

WTF??? As a teacher (and general busy person), I have very little free time. But, if a parent were to take time out of their busy schedule to talk about their struggling child, I would not make them wait 2 freakin' weeks.

That's just BS!

[Phoebe]

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

Lame teacher!

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

Lame teacher!

Yes, I think so too but she is all I have to work with. I think part (definitely not all!!!) of this year's issues are impacted by how she and Ben relate to each other. She is a stickler for detail, good in most instances but sometimes overboard IMO. DH has even commented on it. She has taken to writing notes on Ben's work such as "Ben, we discussed these directions in class TWO times. Please make an effort to pay more attention." I don't find this encouraging at all and feel these notes are a little over the top. BTW, I haven't made any negative comments about this teacher in front of Ben as I don't think that would help the situation.

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

I should note that he passed all vision screenings at school. Anyway, the doc discovered that he was near sighted but at the same time reading was hard for him because his eyes didn't focus correctly. Long story short, the glasses have made a HUGE difference for him. It is amazing what a difference a small correction can make.

This was me, also in third grade. Getting reading glasses made a HUGE difference for me. Technically I should still be wearing them now (but can't get cute glasses that allow for bi-focals. ).

I think the thorough vision exam is an excellent idea. I'm so glad my mom stuck with me to getting the correct diagnosis. The first eye doctor I went to thought I was complaining of headaches and eye strain because I just wanted glasses like a few other kids in my class.

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

Thanks Abigail, Tara and Nellie. Ben has an eye exam in two weeks.

[alison]

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

My mom put me into Kumon classes when I was young. I am not math-minded by any stretch of the imagination, but it gave me a huge boost in confidence.

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Sylvan Learning Centers

I have asked Ben's teacher for another conference - she isn't available for 2 weeks. Grrr.

WTF??? As a teacher (and general busy person), I have very little free time. But, if a parent were to take time out of their busy schedule to talk about their struggling child, I would not make them wait 2 freakin' weeks.

That's just BS!

FWIW, I'm in agreement! I mean, it's not reasonable to expect to get the teacher's attention upon-demand, but--at least back when I was teaching--if a parent had a genuine concern, I would have done anything to coordinate a conference ASAP. Honestly, two weeks can be a lifetime to an already-struggling elementary school study.