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September 23, 2021

Is hiring a private tutor really worthwhile?

Although students have only been back in school for a few weeks, the tutoring business is already in full gear, the New York Times suggests.

In the U.S., the number of tutors being certified has jumped approximately 18 per cent in each of the last five years. And, judging by the number of flyers in the mail this week, Canada doesn't lag far behind.

But, with these increasing numbers, comes a changing landscape.

"While tutors once focused on helping children who were falling behind in particular subjects or had a learning disability, they are now being used far more to guide students through particularly tough courses, insure their grades are equal to or above their peers’ and, in the end, polish a child’s college application," says Paul Sullivan.

Of course, tutors can often comfort kids who are struggling with school, giving them someone knowledgeable to talk beyond their parents.

College students may even be a better choice than adults, as students might emulate the “older kid” and feel special because they have his or her's attention.

But, either way, that relationship doesn't come cheap.

The cost of hiring a tutor varies widely, but the average cost tends to be about $40 to $60 per hour — although some specialized providers charge as much as $100. And then there are online services like Tutorgiant, which offer a three-month trial for $49 — about the same price as a one-hour session with a private tutor.

Have you had any experience with tutors? Was the exercise effective? How do you ensure the money you’re spending is benefiting your child?

By Gordon Powers, MSN Money

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Gordon PowersGordon Powers

A long-time fund company executive, Gordon Powers now heads up the Affinity Group, a financial services consulting firm. Gordon was a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail for many years, has taught retirement planning...

Jason BucklandJason Buckland

The modern-day MC Hammer of money, Jason can often be seen spending cash that isn’t his with the efficiency of a Wilt Chamberlain first date. After cutting his teeth as a reporter for the Toronto Sun, he joined the MSN Money team with...