Certain criteria are essential for hiring a tutor or employing the services of a learning center. The following list contains suggestions for questions to consider when thinking about or interviewing a potential tutor.

When considering the services of a private tutor or of a learning center, it is best to do research first. What services can (if the tutor is for a child) the local school provide and, if there are no adequate services available by the school, who would the child's school recommend? Is there a learning center close to home or should the services of a private tutor be looked into? What are the rates of learning centers and private tutors and what is a realistic and affordable price?

While interviewing a learning center or private tutor, no matter how highly recommended, one should always ask for references from past clients. With these references, potential clients may find out information pertaining to rates, rapport with the child or adult tutored, missed tutoring sessions, and if grades actually improved and if so, what was the time frame of the improvements.

It is a good idea to inquire as to if the learning center of choice or the private tutor has experience working with persons with learning disabilities or other problems that may prevent a child or adult from easily learning.

Is the tutor in question a certified teacher? Does the learning center of choice have certified teachers in their employ? What exactly is the education level and what are the credentials of the tutor.

When engaging the services of a learning center, it is always good to ask whether the child or adult who will be tutored will have the same tutor for each tutoring session. Good education, even of the supplemental kind, requires an established rapport between educator and student.

Does the tutor have any areas of expertise or certifications that would be beneficial to the adult or child being tutored?

Before starting any tutorials with a learning center or with a private tutor, it is good to find out what goals will be established before tutoring begins.