What is a tutor contract or agreement?
A tutor contract or agreement is a legally binding document that outlines the terms of the relationship between a tutor and a student or student's parent.
The contract typically covers the scope of the tutoring services being provided, the payment terms, the schedule and duration of the sessions, and any other relevant details.
Why do you need a tutor contract?
There are several reasons why you may want to consider having a tutor contract in place:
- Establish clear expectations: A tutor contract can help to establish clear expectations and responsibilities for both the tutor and the student, which can help to ensure that the tutoring relationship runs smoothly.
- Protect the rights of both parties: A tutor contract can help to protect the rights and interests of both the tutor and the student. For example, it can outline the terms of payment and the expectations for the student's performance and behavior.
- Resolve disputes: If any disputes or misunderstandings arise during the tutoring relationship, a tutor contract can provide a reference point for resolving them.
- Professionalism: Having a tutor contract in place can help to establish a professional and formal working relationship between the tutor and the student.
Overall, a tutor contract can be a useful tool for ensuring a smooth and effective tutoring relationship. It is important to carefully review and understand the terms of the contract before signing it.
What to include in a tutoring agreement?
Generally speaking, you want to include an outline of the tutoring services being provided. Here are some details that you'll want to include in your tutoring agreement:
- Names and contact information of the tutor and the student/parent.
- Description of the subjects or areas of study that will be covered in the tutoring sessions.
- Schedule and frequency of tutoring sessions, including the start and end dates and any provisions for rescheduling or cancelling sessions.
- Location of the tutoring sessions, whether in-person or online.
- Fees for tutoring services, including the hourly rate and payment schedule.
- Responsibilities of both the tutor and the student/parent, such as maintaining a quiet and focused learning environment, providing feedback, and adhering to a code of conduct.
- Confidentiality clause to protect the privacy of the student and any personal information shared during the tutoring sessions.
- Termination clause, outlining the conditions under which the agreement can be terminated by either party.
- Signature lines for both the tutor and the student/parent to sign and date the agreement.
It is important to have a clear and detailed tutoring agreement to ensure that both the tutor and the student/parent understand their respective responsibilities and obligations, and to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes down the line.
These are just a high level overview and starting point. This is not legal advice and would recommend consulting with an attorney for legal advice.
What is a good cancellation policy for tutors?
A good place to start would be a cancellation policy that outlines the following:
- Advance notice: Require a certain amount of advance notice, such as 24 hours or 48 hours, for cancelling a tutoring session. This gives the tutor enough time to plan their schedule and potentially book another appointment.
- Rescheduling: Allow the student/parent to reschedule a cancelled session at a mutually agreed-upon time, rather than losing the opportunity for a tutoring session altogether.
- Fees: Consider charging a fee, such as a percentage of the hourly rate, for late cancellations or no-shows, to compensate the tutor for their time and preparation.
- Exception policy: Consider making exceptions for unexpected events, such as illness or an emergency, and not charging fees in such cases.
How can you sign a contract or agreement?
There are a few different methods of signing a contract or agreement, both digital and traditional. A few options include:
- Physical signature: A classic way to sign a document is to write your signature using a pen, either in person or by mailing, faxing, or emailing the document.
- Electronic signature: Another convenient method is to sign a document using an electronic signature service, such as HelloSign or DocuSign. This often involves simply checking a box next to a statement acknowledging that you agree to the terms of the document.
- Handwritten signature: If you cannot physically or digitally sign a document, you may be able to provide a handwritten signature by writing your name on the document and then scanning or photographing it.
The best contract template for tutors
It can be a headache to try and draft your own tutoring contract, especially when you're a business of one. To save you some time, our lawyers drafted a legally vetted contract template for any tutor to use with their clients (and students).
