Don't wait for your child's report card before you decide if your teenager needs help with school. If you can answer "yes" to these questions and your student continues to struggle in school, then a tutor might be the right choice:

Is your student consistently doing homework?
Research has found that middle and high school students who do more homework achieve better grades. One generally accepted guideline is students should do 10 minutes of homework per grade level--or 60 minutes in sixth grade and 90 minutes in ninth grade.

Do you enforce rules regarding television, video games, and Internet usage?
Rather than banning them from your home, set a time limit on activities that could distract your student from doing homework or reading independently. More important, keep these distractions out of your student's bedroom and/or study area.

Does your student dismiss communication between you and a teacher?
If your student reacts negatively to the idea of you contacting her teacher, there could be a grade-related reason. This test is a subtle way to check up on your student's own perception of how well she is doing.

Does your child participate in extracurricular activities?
Students who spend their free time doing hobbies or sports perform better in school, according to a report published in the December 2001 issue of Child Development. However, overloading on activities can also detract from sleep time and homework time, so make sure your busy student manages her schedule well, perhaps using a day planner or electronic organizer.

Does your child allot plenty of time to complete long-term assignments?
A recent study conducted by researchers at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, found that procrastination can have a negative effect on mental health. The researchers recommended breaking down projects into smaller steps with earlier deadlines than the finished product. It also helps to work for 30-minute blocks of time.