How we keep students safe online

Every tutor in the collective has cleared a background check before their first session, has signed a written code of conduct, and is a mandatory reporter under District of Columbia law. We treat student safety as non-negotiable and design our operating practices around it.

Before a tutor is added to the roster, we verify:

• Identity and right-to-work documentation.
• Teaching license or relevant credential, where applicable.
• Professional references from prior teaching, tutoring, or related roles.
• Criminal background check, including a sex offender registry search and (where available) a child abuse and neglect registry search.

Background checks are refreshed annually. Any disqualifying result (including convictions involving minors, violent crime, fraud, or falsified credentials) is grounds for immediate removal.

• All sessions run on Google Meet with a parent invited to the calendar event.
• Sessions are not recorded by default. Any recording requires written consent from the parent and is stored only as needed.
• Parents may observe any session at any time.
• Tutors keep communication with students inside Company channels. No personal social media or text contact with students.
• Any one-on-one off-platform contact between tutor and student is prohibited.

Under D.C. Code § 4-1321.02, anyone with reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected is required to report it. Our tutors are trained on this responsibility and obligated by contract to report concerns to the appropriate authorities and notify the Company promptly.

District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) hotline for suspected child abuse or neglect: (202) 671-SAFE (7233). In an emergency, call 911.

If anything ever feels off during a session or in communication with a tutor, please tell us. Send a message through the booking form and mark it “Safety concern”. We will:

• Acknowledge your message within one business day.
• Pause any further sessions with the tutor in question pending review.
• Investigate fairly and keep you informed.
• Take action up to and including ending the tutor’s engagement, and report to authorities where required.

• Annual safeguarding training for every tutor.
• A separate sexual abuse and molestation (SAM) liability policy as the roster grows.
• A confidential channel for tutors to raise concerns about clients or other tutors.
• Quarterly audits of session quality and conduct records.