Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

How often does my child go to you for tutoring?

• Only as often as you want; you don’t have to sign a contract work to with us. Some students come just when they need help with a particular homework assignment or to prepare for quizzes and exams. Others have weekly appointments for regular maintenance.
  

Do you work with elementary school students?

• We have students in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Some university level students come for help, especially for mathematics and writing.
  

How long are your sessions?

• We schedule one hour appointments starting at the top of the hour.
  

When are you open?

• We are here from the time school is out until 10:00 or 11:00 at night. Some students want to come right after school, while others come after sports and other activities. We are also here on weekends.
  

Where are you located?

• Educere is on the west side of Houston in the Memorial Drive – Spring Branch area. The closest big intersection is the Campbell Exit of the Katy Freeway. We are a short walk from the Harris County Library on Corbindale Street.
  

Do you start by giving my child a big diagnostic exam?

• Only if you want us to do that. Usually, we start by working on a student’s immediate need, whether it be tonight’s homework or preparing for tomorrow’s exam. That gives immediate benefit and reduces anxieties. While working on the immediate need, our tutors learn what skills need practice. The student gets experience in needed skills during the course of finishing homework that is due the next day. We often set aside some of the hour’s tutoring time to work on specific skills. We can also make appointments to work on specific skills.
  

Who are your tutors?

• Some are certified teachers who work in public schools. Others are professionals with years of experience in their disciplines. We have specialist for each academic subject. Math people teach math; history and English specialists teach history and English, accountants teach accounting, etc. Knowing the subject is only the first part of teaching. Our tutors also communicate well, which includes listening. Careful listening is the first step in communicating.

 Do you teach study skills?

• Absolutely. These include listening, reading, note-taking, time management and test taking. We integrate teaching of study skills into our regular tutoring. Study skills and exam preparation skills are best learned if they are taught within the framework studying for a course. On the other hand, parents also like to take advantage of summer vacation to have their children learn study skills at Educere.
  

Do you teach speed reading?

• Yes, but “efficient reading” would be a better choice of words. Sometimes skimming through text several pages per minute is the most appropriate way to read. At other times surveying text in an organized manner is best, and sometimes savoring and considering each individual word is necessary. We show you how to choose and use the technique that is best for the reading task at hand.
  

How many teaching sessions does it take to prepare for the SAT exam?

• It is different for each person. First find out what SAT scores are required by the admissions departments of the universities you are applying to. Next see what your score on a simulated SAT exam is. Then keep practicing for the SAT until your scores on simulated tests are in the range that are needed by your desired university