Does each report card bring on a bad night for the whole family? Do you have a child who wants to do better in school, but just can't seem to get the grades he or she wants? It may be time to consider looking for additional help.

Children almost universally want to do well in school. Matching your child up with the right type of remediation or tutoring can take away a child's dread of learning and can boost self-confidence. Sometimes, the right type of help is as close as your child's school. It may even be free. Other times, you'll want private tutoring for your child, either by an individual, a tutoring center, or a website. Before you decide, you need to know exactly why your child needs additional help, and what types of programs are available.

Help at School

It makes sense to start your search for academic support in the environment your child knows best. Talk to your child's teacher or school guidance counselor to find out what types of programs are available at your child's school. You may be surprised by how much extra help is available for free.

After-School Programs

Many schools offer after-school remediation to children who come from low-income backgrounds or have below-average scores on standardized tests. These programs are usually free, and are typically taught by teachers at the school.

After-school programs have several benefits. People who know the school's curriculum teach these programs, and they reinforce skills taught in the regular classroom. Some schools offer homework help programs to support children as they complete homework assignments, which is a blessing to those students who feel like they forget the lesson as soon as they leave the classroom. They don't always last the entire school year, though, and won't help if a child has struggled so much that school has become a miserable place to be.