"I passed the CBEST and CSET, which are qualification tests in California for substitute teachers. The sections passed were CBEST math, reading, and writing, and CSET reading, language, literature, history and social sciences, science and math, PE, human development, and the visual and performing arts.

I taught as a substitute in the San Francisco public schools, worked for a publishing company as a writer analyst for 12 years, wrote news and feature stories as a correspondent for a daily newspaper. I owned a tutoring franchise for three years with over 3,000 hours of tutoring behind me.

Testing reveals where the student weaknesses are, and lessons should be focused on where the problems are, not on what the student already knows. Testing is used to mark progress, not assign a grade, and each test that is passed helps the student overcome the fear of testing.

I look at standardized test results to assess grade level. The goal is to bring the student a little beyond grade level. Homework depends on what the student needs, and periodic assessments in the form of completed lesson plans are given.

My goal for the SAT/ACT is a 100-200 point increase, but there is no guarantee. Others may claim a guarantee; I do not. Over a period of seven months, I brought one 11th grader from 500 on the reading section to 650 and from 500 on the writing section to 690. We went through 70 past SAT exams.

Ideally, preparation for the SAT/ACT should begin 5-6 months to a year prior to the test, or the same amount of time after the first try and before the second.

For the SAT/ACT I use many different study guides, other salutary test prep books and grammar books, and Kahn Academy.

If tutoring is done in the home, another adult 21 or older must be present. Tutoring at the dining room table has proved to be the best, but libraries are satisfactory locations.

Each student is my most treasured subject, and I look forward to hearing from you." less...