Other options for help

Computer based

There's a plethora of educational software programs on the internet. Most online programs let you trial free demonstrations before purchasing. Here are some options:

• Mathematics.com.au provides tutoring for Years 7 to 12. Rates start at $A297 per year per student.
• Maths Power (www.mathspower.com.au) has programs from AUD199 per year with a AUD55 registration fee. They also provide a tutor for support.
   

Tutor-based

• Live-Wire Learning (www.livewirelearning.co.nz) is a New Zealand tutor system available for secondary schools and students. Subjects covered are maths, English, accounting and science. Programmes start from $30 per year.
• Kip McGrath (www.kipmcgrath.co.nz) has 100 centres offering sessions in English, maths and (in some centres) science for $45 a session. A session is one hour 20 minutes.
• Kumon (www.kumon.co.nz) is an international provider specialising in maths, English and Japanese. There's an initial enrolment fee of $60, plus $100 per month per subject.
• NumberWorks (www.numberworks.co.nz) is an international provider of maths and English tuition at around $40 for each one-hour lesson.
• SPELD (www.speld.org.nz) tutors adults and children, and has a strong emphasis on students who have learning disabilities. The student (or their parents) must enrol first, to join SPELD. Students then undergo testing before one-on-one remedial programmes are undertaken.
• Straight A's (www.straighta.co.nz) is a small Auckland-based provider. It offers after-school maths and English tuition at $42 for each 75-minute session.

Useful websites

• EdSoft provides online software resources for schools, teachers and parents. They have a wide range of software programs available and include some free-trial software downloads.
• Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI) offers a variety of resources for schools and teachers, with plenty of freeware titles. Its programs focus on reference rather than games. The website provides discounts for schools as part of the Software for Learning scheme.
• The Ministry of Education gives parents advice on how they can improve their child's educational development.