Global Tutors, Big Brothers, and a

Sticky Job Situation

Teacher Magazine ’s take on education news from around the Web, May 20-26.

Don’t look now, but the global economy appears to be creeping into the K-12 education market. Seeking lower costs and expertise in math and science, American tutoring providers are increasingly contracting with educators in India . That means students in need of extra help may now find themselves working over the Internet with an instructor in a different hemisphere. Critics of the practice—including the American Federation of Teachers—say it’s unfair to local educators and question the level of quality control. As for the Indian tutors, despite being given cultural training, they’re still learning how to work with American kids. Observed one: “I find that we ... need to shower a lot of praise for the students’ good work, which is...