Can anyone tell me about Sylvan Learning center?

Question

My step son recently moved in with his dad and I. He was having trouble academically at his last school and even more problems when he switched because of the different way of teaching. I was thinking of enrolling him in Sylvan but I'm not sure how it works. I know he would have to take a test but can you enroll him in one or two classes a week or does sylvan make your schedule? I also know that it's expensive but can anyone give me an idea of how much it would cost for reading and math tutoring?

Thanks a bunch you guys!

Answer 1

The only info I have about it is that lots of parents say that they are not good for children with learning problems.

Can't the child get help from the school thru special ed services?

Answer 2

Federal law IDEA states that if you request an educational evaluation for consideration of special education services(do this in writing) the school has 60 days to evaluate, write a report and meet with you and the evaluators for an eligibility meeting.   There is no 60-90 day waiting period to "decide" to evaluate".  The school is pulling one over on you.   For more help with spe ed law go to www.wrightslaw.com.  For parent advice go to GreatSchools.net and visit the learning and attention difficulties group.  

If your step son has a learning disability, Sylvan will be a total waste of $$.

Answer 3

I teach at SLC.  I love it! I can tell you that they provide a guarntee that your student will increase one grade level within 36 hours or they will provide you 12 hours for free.  

Here's a little bit about how it works: your student comes in for an assessment where he will be given a battery of academic tests. I suggest doing both the reading and the math (I think the price is the same, but I'm not sure, even if you do 2 subjects).  These tests are norm referenced, standardized tests! The results are analyzed and then your student is given a learning prescription.  The great thing about this is that the assessments pinpoint exactly where the gaps are and when your student comes for instruction we teach those skills.  For example, if one of the areas of need identified was sequencing, then there would be a lesson on sequencing taught to him. Your child will have a prescription put in a binder and for each skill there are materials that are pulled.  A person called a "puller" gathers these materials for the teacher. When your boy comes for a lesson there will be one teacher to 3 students.  Each student will be working on their individual perscriptions.  The teacher will give your boy guided practice lessons with independent practice follow ups to solidify the skill.  We simply look in the binder to see what needs to be taught and we use the Sylvan materials to implement the lesson.

We have some special education students at our center. They are making awesome progress!  

The programs at my center are $55 per hour. I'd guess that they vary from center to center.

You can take as many or as few classes per week as you like.  

Do a google search for the 800 number and call and speak with a rep, they'll fill in any details that I may have missed.

Oh, I forgot to mention that all center teachers must be state certified teachers!  It's not a tutoring program, it's a teaching program!  

I say go for it! If you're not satisfied then there's no penalty for cancelling your services.

Answer 4

My experience with these guys is over-priced college students tutoring.  If you go to most colleges you can get the same thing for half price.  They also like to bag on what schools are doing like they have reinvented the wheel or something.  But you never know, you can't say this for every Sylvan I'm sure.  What about his teachers at school?  So if money is no object, go for it!  I've done private tutoring for cheaper.  I've also seen reports done by Sylvan tutors and they were pretty weak.  I believe my testing was more effective.  But then again they don't usually have the experience or training that a credentialed teacher has.