A Tutor to Help with the COVID Slide

by | Jul 9, 2022 | Blog

Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels

During the pandemic, the parents of children with disabilities have struggled. Especially, when it comes to accessing tools to support their child’s education. Recent studies and articles show how the pandemic has negatively impacted their children’s academic performance. It’s called the “COVID Slide.” When parents of students with disabilities use a tutor, they find a solution to their problems.

FINDING THE RIGHT TUTOR

Parents who are ready to find a tutor may not know where to begin. Some things to consider include:

  • What are their qualifications?
  • Do they have the experience and capability to help your child overcome learning barriers?
  • What are their references?
  • What is their demeanor as it relates to a student with disabilities?

The tutor’s approach to learning, especially amidst the COVID Slide, is essential. Specifically, the tutor’s personality and how it compliments your child is important. For example, how will the tutor respond to the student? Will it be passive, persistent, outgoing, or entertaining?

    Where to Look for a Qualified Tutor

    Imagine the ideal tutor for your child. Next, you need to find one. Parents can use a variety of resources, especially during the COVID Slide, to find a tutor for a student with disabilities.

    • Talk to your child’s teacher. Some schools have programs coordinating tutors, including afterschool programs at other schools. Additionally, the school may help coordinate a discount with a tutoring service.
    • A quick search online can help. Many service providers can arrange for qualified tutors for children with disabilities.
    • Hire a tutor through an agency. This way, you know that the tutor has been vetted for skills and that their background has been checked as well.

    The Benefits of Tutoring

    Previously, I worked as a tutor for children struggling with reading and writing. In many cases, my students had fallen behind the grade-level benchmarks. In my experience, the child flourishes when a tutor works with a student with a disability and gives them undivided attention.  A tutor can help restore the student’s confidence, spark a renewed interest in learning, and alleviate parents’ concerns about the COVID Slide.

     

    MindWorks Collaborative would love to invite you to learn more about finding a tutor to navigate the COVID Slide. Join future conversations on this topic by signing up for our community of justice-driven special educators here and sign up to get alerts for our next roundtable.

     

    Guest Blogger Profile: Lori Ann Reese is a published Canadian author and freelancer based in Austin, Texas. A professional blogger and ghostwriter since 2007, her client work can be found on Search Engine Journal, The Huffington Post, Medium, and other authority media sites.