Special education tutoring: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What special education tutoring is

Special education tutoring supports students with learning differences using individualized methods, working toward goals from the student's school plan. Parents book it when a child has an individualized education plan or a 504 plan and needs extra practice on the skills in it, or when a child needs a different way of learning to make progress.

Signs you need it

  • Your child has a school plan with goals, but progress on those goals is slow
  • Your child has trouble with attention, memory or processing, and classroom methods do not seem to fit
  • Your child works hard but the results do not match the effort, and they feel discouraged
  • Your child needs a method that breaks each skill into small, clear steps
  • The school has asked for outside practice that matches the goals in the child's plan

What the pro does

  • Reviews the student's school plan and the goals the school has set
  • Checks the skills the student has now, and where each goal stands
  • Plans sessions around the goals, with short tasks and clear feedback
  • Uses methods that fit the student's learning style, such as visual, hands-on or step-by-step teaching
  • Shares progress notes with the parent and, with permission, the school team

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of each session and how many sessions are in a series
  • The student's age and the goals in the school plan
  • Whether sessions are in person, at home or online
  • One-on-one tutoring, which is common for this work, versus a small group
  • Whether the tutor uses a structured program or builds their own plan
  • Whether the tutor attends school meetings or writes reports for the school team

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, session length and start date
  • Where sessions happen and whether travel is included
  • Whether the materials, the progress notes and the plan review are included
  • Cancellation and make-up policy
  • Whether the tutor will attend school meetings or share progress with the school team

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How will you use my child's school plan goals in the sessions?
  • What methods do you use, and how do you know they are working for my child?
  • How do you report progress to me and to the school team?
  • What training do you have in working with students who have learning differences?
  • Do you have experience with the school plan my child has?
  • Have you passed a background check, and do all of your tutors pass one?
  • What progress should we track, and how often will we review the plan?

Red flags

  • Says they can cure or fix a learning difference
  • Will not look at the school plan or ask about the child's goals
  • Uses a single method for every child without checking how the child learns
  • Does not share progress with the parent or will not say how they track it

What you can do yourself

Read the school plan with the teacher, ask which goal you can support at home, and keep short, regular practice with the child. Use the school's materials and ask for a copy of the progress reports. Hire a tutor when the goals in the plan need focused, one-on-one practice, when your child needs a method that fits how they learn, or when the school team asks for outside support.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to tutor privately. Schools may require their own staff qualifications for work done in the school, and a private tutor usually does not replace a school service. Ask whether the tutor has training in special education, and check with your state or local licensing agency or your child's school for the rules that apply to the services.

Special education tutoring questions

Can a private tutor replace services in my child's school plan?

Usually not. A school plan is a school responsibility. A private tutor can add practice on the goals in the plan. Ask your child's school team what outside support is helpful and what is their responsibility.

Can a tutor diagnose a learning difference?

No. A tutor is not able to diagnose a learning difference. If you think your child needs an evaluation, ask the school or a qualified professional for one.

Does my child's tutor need a background check?

Many parents and programs expect one. Ask for proof of a background check before the first session, and ask about the rules for pickup, drop-off and supervision.

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