Free Tutoring in Maryland: Info for Parents

How Can My Child Get Free Tutoring in Maryland?

Determine What Help Is Needed

Before getting a tutor to help your child, it's usually best to determine exactly what kind of help your child needs. Is she struggling overall, or does she simply need help in a specific subject, like math or reading? Contact your child's teachers or school counselor for details on what plan of action will best assist her educational development. If you decide that tutoring is best for her, you can start pursuing your options.

Research Supplemental Educational Services

Because of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Maryland is required to provide assistance to struggling students through Supplemental Educational Services (SES). Students who are approved for SES tutoring services are typically from low-income families and attend qualifying Title I schools. You can contact your child's school or the Maryland State Department of Education to find out if your child qualifies (www.marylandpublicschools.org).

If your child qualifies for SES, there are several tutoring companies that provide services at no cost to you. Some of these providers offer tutoring in group settings, while others may be one-on-one. You may also find some SES tutoring services offered online.

Consider Other Options

If your child doesn't qualify for SES, there are other options for free tutoring. Many public libraries in Maryland have access to free tutoring and homework help through partnerships with nationally-known online tutoring companies. To use these services, your child needs a library card and access to the Internet. Tutoring sessions are typically only offered at certain times of the day, but your child can get help in math, English, social studies and science. Some may even offer foreign language tutoring.

Depending on where you live in Maryland, you may be able to find volunteer tutors and mentors to help your child as part of school-based or community-based programs. Another option includes free online tutoring sites. In some cases, these sites offer live help, but many of these services may require your child to post a question and wait a day or two for a response. One major drawback is that tutors may not have the training or qualifications guaranteed by paid tutoring services.