If your child is reaching for the stars and aspires to go to one of New York City’s nine prestigious specialized high schools, then you understand the importance of proper SHSAT prep. One way to help your child prepare for their exam is to send them to a tutoring center, but how do you know which are good centers and which aren’t? Look out for these red flags that indicate the center is not a good one.
1. High Turnover Rate
If a center goes through instructors often, this might indicate that the management is poor and that employees are unhappy working there. You want your child to have consistency and a regular teacher so that they score as highly as possible on the test. Having a new one every few weeks is confusing and frustrating for your child and for you.
2. No Credentials
Ask the director what qualifications the center requires when hiring on a new employee. Are they required to present their college degree upon hire? Anybody can say that they have a degree, but centers that hire tutors who have zero professional and educational skills is a big warning sign.
3. There are No Positive Results
Can the center provide data to prove that their techniques work? Do they have a history of preparing students successfully for the SHSAT and other standardized tests? How can they prove that you should pick their facility instead of another one? Have other parents given testimonials that are positive?
4. Students are Unhappy
Chances are if the kids don’t like the tutor, there is a reason for it. Students tend to respect a strict but knowledgeable teacher who respects them. If there is no mutual respect and kids can’t stand them, then the tutor is probably not doing a very good job.
5. They Have High Expectations but Aren’t Helping Much
If a center expects students to deliver them the moon, then they need to give them the tools to build a rocket. If a tutoring center is consistently berating kids for not being productive enough, look at their practices. Are they offering enough to help students succeed? Are they allowing students to ask clarifying questions and more importantly, are they answering those questions?
Having the SHSAT looming ahead is stressful enough for a student. Finding a reputable tutoring center to help your child prepare for it is important, so know the warning signs of one that is less esteemed.
