Dealing with Behavioral Issues in Group Tutoring

Bad Behavior During Tutoring

Bad behavior during tutoring is a problem for all tutors. Irrespective of group demographics, you will find that every small group of students carry potential for bad behavior issues. Some of those issues stem from a sense of entitlement on the part of the student or parent. On the other hand, behavioral issues may arise because of the group dynamic. You must manage behavioral issues in tutoring as this will ensure students are receiving the instruction intended.

There are seven steps every provider of small group tutoring should follow to address and manage behavior issues in tutoring sessions:

Prior Behavior

Before you start tutoring, ask the parent or school if their child has any known behavioral issues. For instance ask your parents to fill out a survey about their student. Another example is you could ask questions about whether the student has been to the principal’s office for behavioral issues. Additionally, confirm whether the student has ever been suspended or is taking medication for behavioral issues.

Bad behavior during tutoring – Contact Information

Be sure to have all current parent contact information including home numbers and work numbers. Additionally, you can ask for the phone numbers for a close relative who will be available in case the parents are unavailable. Consider an aunt/uncle or grandparent for example.

Fully Engage Students

Prepare your instructors to fully engage students throughout any group lesson. Encourage your tutors to stand and walk around during group sessions. As a result, students will have less of an opportunity to misbehave. To clarify, if the instructor is standing, he/she can see all your students at one time and physically maintain a position of authority. Thus reducing bad behavior during their sessions.

Set The Tone

Set the tone at the first session. Students are listening during that first session, they may not be behaving, but they are listening. Therefore, it is crucial to set expectations for behavior. Above all your tutor must define poor behavior for them and clearly explain the consequences.

Bad behavior during tutoring – Reward Good Behavior

Reward positive behavior. Most importantly, students will be more interested in the rewards than the consequences.

Follow Through

The first time a student misbehaves, your tutor must follow through on the consequences. If other students see there are no real consequences to poor behavior, their is no reason for them not to show bad behavior during tutoring.

Escalate If Necessary

If a student does not respond to either the positive reinforcement or the consequences of poor behavior, parents or the should be contacted immediately. Keep in mind that if you can not reach the parents, then a home visit may be necessary. If the tutoring is being contracted by a school, then report to your contact, any bad behavior during tutoring.

Be prepared to dismiss the student – parents or the school are sending their children to your tutoring session to learn. Therefore, if one student is disrupting the dynamics of the classroom by interrupting the learning process, the student may need alternative arrangements.

Success in tutoring is defined as students making gains in the subject they are tutored, if those gains are hindered by behavioral issues, then success will remain elusive. In order to be successful, every education company that offers small group tutoring must address any behavioral issues.

Tutoring companies using Oases Online to manage their business can the tracking and emailing features to help manage behavior issues in tutoring.

By S K Tilton.

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