Jennifer R Koenig, Learning Specialist

What is the difference between a Learning Specialist and a Tutor?

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An academic tutor is generally someone who helps a student to succeed in one content area. For instance, a tutor who specializes in mathematics may advertise his or her services as a ‘math tutor’. He or she would spend time teaching and practicing math skills. A test prep tutor will guide a student who is preparing for a specific test, and a reading tutor may assist a student in his or her reading goals.

In the same vein, the franchised learning centers work with students in small groups and provide extra practice in math or reading skills. For some students, this extra practice is helpful, but the centers are NOT diagnosing learning differences or providing individualized therapy for those who need it.

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A Learning Specialist is an educator who is skilled and experienced in providing learning strategies to students who struggle with learning differences. These educators work one-on-one or in small groups to give students intensive support that meets their individual needs.

A Learning Specialist may assist a family in any of the following ways:

* conduct observations of the student in his/her work environment to identify problem areas

* review previous assessments of a student to formulate a learning plan

* identify reasearch-based therapies that will benefit the student’s unique learning differences

* use the above therapies to provide remediation to close any gaps that a student may have in his or her reading, writing or math skills

* work cooperatively with teachers to help them understand how students learn

* guide parents and teachers to resources which may benefit the student