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What is the goal of Sylvan?

Our goal is your goal. Whether your student needs to get back on track with reading, ace a standardized test or just pass this year’s math class, Sylvan helps students develop academic skills and abilities to become sure of themselves, strong, and con�dent. Sylvan gives them the inspiration they need and builds a love of learning in each student. Sylvan enables students to become independent learners who can complete their homework with minimal parental assistance and can excel in school.

What is Sylvan’s “individualized approach” to instruction?

Sylvan starts with comprehensive educational tests to pinpoint skill gaps and to develop a personalized learning plan. This is the Sylvan Skills Assessment®. As a result, no two learning plans are identical. Your child’s plan is quite speci�c and includes short term and long term goals, teaching materials, and special considerations for each student’s instruction. The lesson plan for each skill gap includes the passages to be read with corresponding comprehension questions, problems to be solved, and exercises to be completed. After each hour of instruction, the student’s education plan is reviewed and modi�ed

for the next hour of instruction. Students progress at their own pace, depending on what skills they have mastered.

Sylvan instructors teach no more than three students at one time. Each student receives individual instruction from the teacher, who is seated at a table with the students. This is followed by the student’s independent practice of the skill. Should a student need extra help, the teacher provides immediate assistance without actually doing the work for the student. Three to one is the optimal student to teacher ratio for developing independent learning skills without the risk of developing dependency on the teacher to do the work. It prepares students to work on their own with their homework and in their school classrooms.

Thank you for your interest in Sylvan.We know this is a very important decision for you and your family. To help with any lingering questions, following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Sylvan and what we do. We would love the opportunity to talk with you more as you consider your options. Please call us and one of our Education Experts will be happy to talk with you.

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What makes Sylvan different from tutors?

A local tutor may help a student pass a course, but they do not get at the root cause of an academic problem. Most academic problems are the result of skills that were not mastered in previous years. The Sylvan Skills Assessment® reveals if there are skill gaps at earlier levels and provides a targeted educational plan unique to each child to teach and master those skills. Thus, Sylvan not only addresses the current academic dif�culty, but prevents the problem from extending into the future.

What programs does Sylvan offer?

Sylvan offers programs for every child at every grade and stage. We offer reading, math, writing, study skills, homework, test-taking, college/university prep and more.

How does Sylvan measure progress in students?

The answer to every question asked, every task assigned and every problem attempted is recorded in the student’s educational plan. The student must meet objective criteria before a skill is considered to have been mastered. For example, in vocabulary a student must score three consecutive 100%s or �ve 80%s. The next prescribed skill is only addressed when the preceding skill has been mastered.

As your child moves through their education plan, ongoing assessments are administered to ensure students are on track and goals are being met.

How long does it take for students to reach their goals?

During the enrollment conference we give parents an estimate of the length of time it will take to reach the family’s goals based on our experience and expertise and the professional judgment of our Director of Education. Since Sylvan has helped over a million students during the past

twenty �ve years, we can predict the approximate length of a learning plan. Some programs are as short as 12 hours, and some students require more hours of instruction to reach their goal.

What are the qualifications of Sylvan instructors?

All Sylvan instructors are selected for their expertise and for their warmth, patience, and ability to af�rm students. Each instructor receives additional training in Sylvan educational philosophies and procedures. Most instruction is provided by part time faculty members, many of whom have full time jobs in the local schools.

What learning materials are used for instruction?

Instructional materials come from leading educational publishers such as McGraw Hill, Glencoe, D.C. Heath, Houghton Mif�in, Jamestown Publishers, Modern Curriculum Press, Macmillan, Curriculum Associates, and SRA. Sylvan matches students’ individual learning styles with the materials from which they can learn the best.

What are the hours of instruction at Sylvan?

Instruction at Sylvan is offered after school and on weekends. Since our individualized approach to instruction demands close attention by students, many families �nd it convenient to attend two two-hour sessions per week. We will work with whatever schedule �ts your family’s needs.

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10How does Sylvan communicate with parents?

Each student is assigned a Progress Manager who supervises the student’s academic progress and maintains close communication with the family. Parent conferences are held monthly or after every 12 hours of instruction, and telephone calls and emails are welcomed at any time.

How does Sylvan work with the student’s school?

Sylvan places a priority on working with schools. With the permission of the parents, Sylvan builds strong communication with school teachers and guidance counselors. We contact schools upon enrollment in Sylvan and will work together in partnership with your child’s teacher.

How much does Sylvan cost?

Sylvan is individualized and intense. Each hour of a student’s instruction requires approximately another half-hour of lesson preparation, monitoring and other professional services. This amount of professional time produces the greatest gains in the shortest time possible for Sylvan students. Sylvan has over twenty-�ve

may say they cost less, but they do not put the same quality or personalization into your child’s learning needs as found with Sylvan.

The cost is determined by an hourly rate and the length of instruction necessary to meet your family’s goals.

Can families afford Sylvan?

The cost of Sylvan is like the cost of orthodontia. For most students, it is a once in a lifetime expense that produces lasting results. Once students academic skills have been straightened out, they will most likely not need the same in-depth Sylvan services again.

Most families purchase the entire program designed to meet their student’s needs. We have loan programs to make your student’s Sylvan experience affordable. We can provide a student loan program for almost any family with affordable monthly payments.

Other families pay monthly. We will work with your family to come up with a payment option that �ts your needs.

Can Sylvan provide enrichment programs for students?

Sylvan works with students wanting to get ahead, as well as those needing help to catch up or keep up in school. Students enter Sylvan at a level based on their performance on the Sylvan Skills Assessment®. The Sylvan curriculum is skill-based, not grade based, and students progress at their own pace. So students can develop skills beyond their current grade in school. Popular Sylvan enrichment programs are Advanced Reading, Advanced Math, Academic Writing and Study Skills. Sylvan can help students to get a step ahead of their class and prepare them for the exceptional level of academic performance needed for admission to competitive colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools.

What other services does Sylvan have to offer?

For parents who want the convenience of home and the bene�t of a personalized learning program created from our Sylvan Skills Assessment®, we offer Sylvan Online™. With Sylvan Online, your child still receives a customized program in reading or math, that is based on the academic needs of your child. Best of all, your child will work online and in real time with a highly trained and certi�ed teacher, all from the comfort and convenience of your home. All you need is an Internet connection and a Windows-enabled PC - we’ll supply the rest.

If your child needs a little extra help getting through homework assignments, we offer the �exibility and convenience of Sylvan Homework Help. Our new service provides expert homework assistance in the subject your child needs, using his or her school assignments. And we offer �exible drop-in scheduling – your child can come in as often as necessary for homework assistance. Call today to learn more about our subjects and times for Homework Help.

years of experience. Other services or tutors