Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brandon Reading Clinic different from the tutoring chains like Sylvan and Huntington?
We love this question – YES, Brandon Reading Clinic is very different than the national chains like Sylvan and Huntington, as well as most other local tutoring companies in the Tampa area.
First off, we'll never require you to sign a 'long-term' contract before receiving therapy.
Next, unlike the 'chain' therapy centers – who often place the student in a group setting and assign a teacher or monitor to check the progress of the student on general assignments or on a computer based educational program – We provide intensive, focused, one-on-one therapy that is designed to achieve results for the specific student with whom we are working. The results achieved through our one-on-one interaction are nearly always far superior to results from other teaching methods.
Also, our therapists are highly trained in several nationally recognized programs and are able to continuously monitor the progress of the student and make adjustments in the educational plan to assure success.
First off, we'll never require you to sign a 'long-term' contract before receiving therapy.
Next, unlike the 'chain' therapy centers – who often place the student in a group setting and assign a teacher or monitor to check the progress of the student on general assignments or on a computer based educational program – We provide intensive, focused, one-on-one therapy that is designed to achieve results for the specific student with whom we are working. The results achieved through our one-on-one interaction are nearly always far superior to results from other teaching methods.
Also, our therapists are highly trained in several nationally recognized programs and are able to continuously monitor the progress of the student and make adjustments in the educational plan to assure success.
Is Brandon Reading Clinic more expensive than the other places?
We don't think so. Sure, if you're only comparing the price of our one-on-one therapy session to the cost of a single group tutoring session at other tutoring centers, we may seem more expensive. However, if you consider the actual amount of instruction that your child receives, the customized educational plan developed, and most importantly, the progress a student makes, we believe that our program is much less expensive in the long run. We achieve results quicker and often can fully remediate a student in much less time than that achieved with other methods.
Every student is different and there are no absolutes, but results count and we are very proud of our 20+ year track record of achieving superior results.
Every student is different and there are no absolutes, but results count and we are very proud of our 20+ year track record of achieving superior results.
Are there other advantages to the one-on-one teaching model?
Another significant advantage of the one-on-one teaching model is that it allows us to truly connect with our students. Many times when a student has struggled in school, they lose their self-confidence. The can begin to think that there is something wrong with them, or that they are just not as smart as the other kids in their class. If not addressed, this can have devastating, prolonged effects on a child (and his family).
We love our students and we work hard to restore their confidence and self-worth. Please see some of the letters from parents in the testimonial section of our web site – improved self-confidence can often bring a child “out of their shell” and improve their overall quality of life just as much as their improvement in academic performance.
We love our students and we work hard to restore their confidence and self-worth. Please see some of the letters from parents in the testimonial section of our web site – improved self-confidence can often bring a child “out of their shell” and improve their overall quality of life just as much as their improvement in academic performance.
My child has struggled, but is showing signs of improvement – can they get better on their own?
Students who struggle with a learning disability often show signs of improvement as they mature. They learn ways to compensate in their classroom and to “get by”. Unfortunately, these coping mechanisms do not address their underlying problem. If they do not get help that specifically targets the learning disability, they will continue to underperform relative to their true ability.
Don't Delay – a learning disability will not get better if not addressed - if you suspect that a learning problem may exist, have an evaluation completed by a professional trained to recognize learning disabilities.
Don't Delay – a learning disability will not get better if not addressed - if you suspect that a learning problem may exist, have an evaluation completed by a professional trained to recognize learning disabilities.
My child seems very bright, but still struggles in school. Does this indicate a learning problem?
Many students who have a learning disability are very bright and it is not uncommon for them to have an above average IQ. One of the definitions of a learning disability is underperformance relative to the true ability level (such as measured by an IQ). Sometimes, it is more difficult to recognize a learning problem in a very bright student because they are able to find ways to get around the problem. However, as discussed above, if the student has a learning problem that is not addressed, they will continue to underperform relative to their ability level.
If you even suspect that a learning problem may exist, it is very important to get an evaluation completed by a professional. When a learning problem is addressed at an early age, the problem can often be identified and remediated – this can provide a lifetime of benefit to the student!
If you even suspect that a learning problem may exist, it is very important to get an evaluation completed by a professional. When a learning problem is addressed at an early age, the problem can often be identified and remediated – this can provide a lifetime of benefit to the student!
Our child struggles in school, but we can't afford tutoring.
Our goal at Brandon Reading Clinic is to never turn away a child. All of our Therapists contribute some of their time free of charge, or at a reduced rate, for children in need. If you are concerned about your child’s performance, but feel you are unable to afford a remediation program, please contact us to learn more about our need based program. We will first ask that you explore all avenues for normal payment such as relatives (we have many grandparents that support the child’s education). If alternate avenues are not available, we will ask that you submit a tax return to confirm need.
We do have a limited number of slots available and you may be asked to join a waiting list, but we make every effort to help all children who are in need of our services.
We do have a limited number of slots available and you may be asked to join a waiting list, but we make every effort to help all children who are in need of our services.