If a tutor can help our kids in a particularly weak subject area, then so be it. Look for a teacher or a college student going through teacher preparation, in other words, a well-trained professional.
Schools keep lists of teachers who also tutor.
Get recommendations from other parents as well as your child's teacher. Stay on top of your child's progress. You'll know if the tutor is working out well based on the feedback from your child's teacher. You pay only shipping and handling. It's the place for teens to explore colleges, careers, and themselves.