My child will be in 2nd grade next school year. She needs major help in Reading and I've been referred to Sylvan by close people that I know. I've received mixed reviews, but mostly good opinions about Sylvan! I know that it is a little pricy and the entrance Assesment Exam is really pricy, but I do not want to hold her back or have her fall even further behind, so I'm interested and willing to dish out the bucks if it will benefit her in the long run. I want to do whatever I can to help her. Has anyone ever been to any of the centers? Can I get your opinions? It sounds really good, but I just want to be assured, if you know what I mean.... Thanks.
In the Austin area, I don't personally know about Sylvan but I would recommend Dr. Linda Swank at the Swank Institute at ###-###-#### -- they worked with my dyslexic son and were AMAZING!!! -- they specialize in language and reading (tell them Beau's mom said to call). Also, you might want to try LearningRx at ###-###-#### www.learningrx.com -- i have heard GREAT things about this organization
HI there. Just wanted to mention that you could do a private tutor. My mom tutors kids with dyslexia (she used to run Scottish Rite). Maybe less expensive and more one on one. She does it out of her home in central austin. if you email me, I will give you her number.
Good luck!
Hi, We used Sylvan for our daughter...it was well worth the money...thru the assessments they will be able to tell you about when your daughter started getting behind or having trouble understanding the reading concepts. They will be able to pinpoint exactly what she is struggling with and start teaching her from that point (can't necessarily get that with tutoring). We used it for about six months, but if we had been diligent about reading with her every night for 20 minutes...we probably could have cut that time in half...she is our first child...with the first one you never think they are capable of as much as they really are (which is a lesson you quickly learn with your second and third children). I cried when she graduated from 5th grade and was awarded the "Best Reader in the 5th Grade" award. My husband and I just looked at each other and smiled, because had you asked us when she was in the 1st grade if that was possible we wouldn't have believed it. When she was in the first grade and struggling to learn to read...we thought it was going to be a lifelong struggle. But thanks to much hard work and praying...it was just a phase (a long phase, but still, just a phase). So far in my life and three kids later, I can honestly say, the hardest parts of parenting so far have been potty training, teaching them to read, and teaching my daughter to drive! Good luck to you! Be patient and know that she will learn to read!
I want to second the recommendation for Linda Swank. I am a former 1st grade teacher and have heard many people talk about the Swank institute.
I haven't heard anything about Sylvan, good or bad, just that they pay their tutors something like $9 an hour (certified teachers) so that may give you some idea of the quality you might get. ???
I did have experience with Sylvan; although it was years ago. I can't imagine it has gotten anything but better!
My third child has a mild case of ADD (not the hyper part) and has struggled all his life with Reading. Despite the good intentions, it was duing his second year in school that the educators determined that phoenics was not the way to teach Reading. Whether this contributed to his difficulties or not is anyone's guess. However, during his pre high school years, it became critical and there was the threat of his being held back, so through research I learned about, and investigated Sylvan. He attended for 6 months and it was the best money I EVER spent!
He graduated from high school with his class, was never held back, though he did receive remedial services through the school system. Though he graduated he only had a 6th grade reading level which would have been worse if not for Sylvan.
He is 26 years old now and it has been many years ago, but as I stated in the beginning - I can't imagine that Sylvan has done anything but IMPROVE and get better! They are kid focused and oriented.
Good luck! I hope you have as positive experience with Sylvan as I did.
Hi AG! My husband worked for Sylvan for 12 years. They do have good programs, I won't argue there. But my husband found a program that he likes even better, so we bought a franchise. It's called Oxford Learning. I don't know where you live, but the only center we have so far is in SW Austin - at Mopac and William Cannon. Please give him a call at ###-###-#### (his name is Gordon) and just compare programs and prices. Tell him that you heard about Oxford through MamaSource and he'll cut you a deal on the assessment exam. Also, we're running a special right now - if you apply your tax rebate to tuition, you get 20% off of tuition. It's worth a call!
Hope this helped!
