Why do so many high school students have tutors nowadays?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a middle schooler so I’m not there yet, but I’ve heard “everyone” has a tutor. Is this because the material isn’t being effectively taught in the classroom? Is it so students perform well on standardized tests? Is it to get ahead in a subject matter? It doesn’t seem limited to struggling students... Everyone & their mother has a tutor and it’s not cheap!

This is an UMC and affluent bubble phenomenon -- essentially top ten percenters. In middle America, most kids are underachievers, obsessed with sports and video games, and academic tutors are for dummies (seriously, that's what most hoi polloi think).

High SES parents know the score, know how competitive the world is, while middle America are too dumb to notice. Middle America rubes see their kids' inflated "As and Bs" report card and think their lazy unmotivated kid is a genius. "Why Annabell and Derek need a tutor for, teacher says they real smart."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop the teacher bashing. If you've hired more than one tutor in the last four years, it's not the teacher.

Overly simplistic response. You absolutely can have bad teacher after bad teacher if you are in a non-succeeding school district, and many tutors are hired for enrichment not to keep up or for a remedial student.

Oh, please.

99.99% of DCUM are proud of their "top tier" schools which they paid "top dollar" for.

Just because Larlo doesn't have the top average in his class at McLean doesn't mean it's the teacher's fault.

[Anonymous]

Because our public school failed our kids in writing and math

[Anonymous]

This is pretty much norm to have tutors. My DD private school $50K+ per year. 75% kids have tutor for 1 or more subject. I found kids relies on the tutor to help with homework. My DD does have a tutor because of 1 BAD teacher. Yes, even private school has a BAD teacher.

[Anonymous]

With my oldest, we started tutoring in 3rd grade. With my youngest, we started in kindergarten. The reason: to give my kids an academic advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a middle schooler so I’m not there yet, but I’ve heard “everyone” has a tutor. Is this because the material isn’t being effectively taught in the classroom? Is it so students perform well on standardized tests? Is it to get ahead in a subject matter? It doesn’t seem limited to struggling students... Everyone & their mother has a tutor and it’s not cheap!

This is an UMC and affluent bubble phenomenon -- essentially top ten percenters. In middle America, most kids are underachievers, obsessed with sports and video games, and academic tutors are for dummies (seriously, that's what most hoi polloi think).

High SES parents know the score, know how competitive the world is, while middle America are too dumb to notice. Middle America rubes see their kids' inflated "As and Bs" report card and think their lazy unmotivated kid is a genius. "Why Annabell and Derek need a tutor for, teacher says they real smart."

Ouch! That seems unfair!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With my oldest, we started tutoring in 3rd grade. With my youngest, we started in kindergarten. The reason: to give my kids an academic advantage.

Well at least you’re honest! -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's not naturally well-organized or driven, and left to his own devices, he seems to be a B/C student. With tutoring, he's an A/B student.

Aren't you worried he won't develop the needed skills and will flounder in college? I'm also thinking about the increased levels of anxiety among young people, etc.

[Anonymous]

neither of my parents went to college
no tutors
i made it to a top 20 US News school
tenure professor at top 30 US News school
it's called hard work

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:neither of my parents went to college
no tutors
i made it to a top 20 US News school
tenure professor at top 30 US News school
it's called hard work

How old are you? It was VERY uncommon to have a tutor when I was growing up (I’m 42).

[Anonymous]

Because the ES education lacked substance or they were transferred from a different system and need extra support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With my oldest, we started tutoring in 3rd grade. With my youngest, we started in kindergarten. The reason: to give my kids an academic advantage.

What would a tutor do in kindergarten? Give your DC the handwriting workbook that I gave my DC? For $50 an hour?

[Anonymous]

At a tutoring center, I’ve seen first and second graders coming in and out while their parents have coffee next door. I feel sorry for the little kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At a tutoring center, I’ve seen first and second graders coming in and out while their parents have coffee next door. I feel sorry for the little kids.

Wait for the last laugh.
It’s the norm in many countries and their kids will take over the world, one step at at time.
The poster who mentioned middle America is spot on.
It used to work when the US was somewhat self-contained. With immigration, there is much steeper competition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At a tutoring center, I’ve seen first and second graders coming in and out while their parents have coffee next door. I feel sorry for the little kids.

Wait for the last laugh.
It’s the norm in many countries and their kids will take over the world, one step at at time.
The poster who mentioned middle America is spot on.
It used to work when the US was somewhat self-contained. With immigration, there is much steeper competition.

Nah, that's clinical anxiety talking. Not reality.