Free Tutoring in NYC: Info for Parents and Students

Finding Free Tutors for Your Child in New York City

How Can I Determine What My Child Needs?

It's usually essential to find out what subjects your child needs in before seeking a tutor. Talk to your child's teachers, school counselor's and other learning professionals to determine the best course of action. Once you know precisely what kind of help your child needs, you'll be properly equipped to make a decision.

What's the Supplemental Education Program?

The federal education law of 2002, No Child Left Behind, requires that struggling students have free tutoring available to them. Eligible students in New York City can take advantage of free tutoring offered by the city and non-profit organizations. The New York State Department of Education has compiled a list of approved tutoring providers, but not all providers offer free tutoring.

To find out if your child qualifies for Supplemental Education Services (SES), contact your child's school or the Department of Education. If your child attends a Title 1 public school and your household's gross income is below a certain level, then SES could be a solution. A number of local and national companies provide tutors at no cost through SES.

What Other Free Options Does My Child Have?

You can also find information about free tutoring possibilities on the Internet. A number of websites offer homework help and free tutoring services. Volunteers support most of these sites. Your child can find help on these sites and can even submit questions via e-mail. After a day or two, your child will receive a response.

You can find free tutoring centers in your area by asking at your child's school or your local community center. Before beginning a tutoring program, your child will typically need to take an assessment test so that his or her tutor can determine the curriculum-based areas in which help's needed. You can e-mail or call such a place for information about enrolling your child. Your child may also be able to get free tutoring from his or her teacher.

If your child only needs a bit of brief help, many online tutoring companies offer free trials. This, of course, is only a temporary solution for any short-term problem your child may have.