FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Online Tutoring: The Newest Way To Help Children Make the Grade

Live, Personalized Instruction From State-Certified Teachers Can Help Improve Comprehension, Self-Confidence and Report Cards

BALTIMORE, MD (October 22, 2002) - The first report card of the new school year can bring feelings of joy and pride to some parents, concern and frustration to others. For those parents whose child's grades are below expectations, a new approach to helping children succeed in school - online tutoring - may be just what is needed.

"When a child brings home a poor report card, many parents find themselves confused and discouraged. However, a live, state-certified teacher on the Web can help children turn grades around by the next report card," states Pat Hoge, executive director of education and curriculum development for eSylvan, the leading online tutoring service and only online supplemental education provider to hold international academic accreditation.

Online tutoring can provide interactive, personalized instruction tailored to the specific learning needs of a child, helping build skills necessary to excel in school from the convenience and safety of home. While some "homework help" Web sites may appear to offer simple solutions to better grades, only an online tutor can address a child's specific skill gaps and provide guidance needed to complete current and future school work. This individualized approach can lead to greatly improved school performance, increased self-confidence, and better report cards.

eSylvan is the first and only Internet-based tutoring service to offer personalized reading and math tutoring for students in grades three through nine provided by state-certified teachers. eSylvan teachers and students use Web technology that allows continuous two-way audio dialogue, which is much like talking on the telephone. They also write questions and answers, which are displayed on both the student's and teacher's computer screens, using a digital pencil and digital writing pad (similar to a mousepad).

Unlike other Internet tutoring products that are formulaic or pre-recorded, each eSylvan program begins with a comprehensive online skills assessment to pinpoint a child's skill gaps. Using these results, eSylvan is able to create a program that is targeted to each child's individual needs, and includes a variety of "prescribed" lessons that help the child meet his or her specific learning objectives.

"With an online tutoring service, such as eSylvan, parents can schedule at-home tutoring when it's convenient for the family, so children can work toward higher grades without missing any after-school activities," states Hoge. "It's a win-win situation for everyone."