Teach For America

Teach For America. Founded in 1990 by Wendy Kopp based on her Princeton University senior thesis, the organization recruits recent college graduates and professionals to teach for at least two years in under-resourced public schools across the United States. It is a major force in the education reform movement, aiming to address educational inequity by expanding the teaching corps in low-income communities. The program has grown into a large, influential nonprofit with a significant alumni network in various leadership sectors.

History

The concept originated from Kopp's 1989 thesis, which proposed a national teacher corps modeled after the Peace Corps. With seed funding from corporations like Union Carbide and Mobil, the first cohort of 500 corps members began teaching in 1990 in six placement regions: Los Angeles, New York City, rural North Carolina, rural Georgia, eastern North Carolina, and Greater New Orleans. Early support came from figures like Ross Perot and foundations such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The organization expanded rapidly during the tenure of its first president, Richard Barth, and received a major boost from a $50 million grant in 2000 from the AmeriCorps program. Its growth was further accelerated by partnerships with school districts like the Houston Independent School District and support from the Broad Foundation.

Program model

The organization operates a highly selective recruitment process, targeting graduates from institutions like Harvard University and Stanford University. Selected candidates, known as corps members, undergo an intensive summer training institute, historically held at locations such as the University of California, Los Angeles. They are then placed in high-need schools, primarily teaching subjects like mathematics, science, and English. Corps members obtain alternative teaching certification through partnerships with state agencies and universities like Relay Graduate School of Education. The model emphasizes leadership development and a commitment to the organization's core values, with many participants receiving funding through AmeriCorps education awards. Regional offices, such as those in the Mississippi Delta and the Rio Grande Valley, manage local placements and support.

Impact and outcomes

Studies on the effectiveness of its teachers have shown mixed results. Research by the Urban Institute and the Mathematica Policy Research institute has indicated that, in certain subjects and regions, corps members can produce student achievement gains comparable to or exceeding those of other new teachers. The organization has contributed significantly to the national conversation on the achievement gap, influencing policy discussions at the federal level and within states like Tennessee and Louisiana. Its alumni have founded prominent charter school networks, including the KIPP schools and Rocketship Public Schools. The scale of the operation, with tens of thousands of alumni, has made it a substantial pipeline of talent into the education sector and related fields like public policy and social entrepreneurship.

Criticism and controversy

The program has faced sustained criticism from teachers' unions, including the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, which argue its short training model undermines the teaching profession and traditional preparation pathways at institutions like the University of Michigan. Critics, such as education professor Diane Ravitch, contend it promotes a form of educational privatization and disrupts local school systems. There have been concerns about high turnover rates, with many corps members leaving the classroom after their two-year commitment, particularly in challenging districts like the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Legal challenges have arisen in some states regarding certification standards, and internal disputes over unionization efforts have occurred within the organization itself.

Alumni

The alumni network is vast and influential, with many former corps members holding leadership positions in education and beyond. Notable alumni include co-founder of the KIPP network Mike Feinberg, former Washington, D.C. Chancellor Michelle Rhee, and United States Senator John Hickenlooper. Alumni have founded organizations like the School of One and Students for Education Reform. They are also prominent in government, serving in the United States Congress and in state legislatures, and in leading roles at institutions like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The network is actively mobilized through events like the annual Teach For America summit and regional alumni associations.

Category:Educational organizations based in the United States Category:Education reform organizations Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City