TFA: Expansion Fuels Reliance On Charter Placements

Prepare to hear and read a lot of chatter about Stephanie Simon's new package of stories about TFA (Has Teach for America betrayed its mission?).

 There's lots in there you already know -- the back and forth over classroom effectiveness research, the notable alumni, the Gary Rubinstine rebellion, Camika Royal, etc.   

But the Reuters reporter tells us some new things, or at least makes them more specific: TFA has become increasingly dependent on charter placements as it expands-- up to 33 percent last year (I thought it might be even higher than that); "nearly 100" district administrators among its alumni; $300M in assets; preservice classroom experience of 15-20 hours. I also hadn't known TFA had backed off its claims about half its teachers reaching outstanding gains.  

Read some of my (innumerable) previous posts about TFA here.  The book chapter I'm working on now, about TFA's belated but then dizzying ascent to Capitol Hill prominence, is slated to come out via AEI in a few weeks. 

Comments

[Sarah]

I didn’t think TFA was doing quite THAT well. $300M in assets? That’s impressive, whether I agree with everything they’ve done as of late or not.

[Joe Nathan]

TFA looks better when you learn about traditional college and universities that are not using "beat the odds" district and charter schools to help train a new generation of teachers. These universities have received millions of dollars from a foundation to help improve teacher preparation. But in their school partnerships, many are not involving "beat the odds" schools.
Given substantial Bush Foundation funds to improve teacher preparation, shouldn't Mn colleges universities involve "beat the odds" district & charter schools to help train new teachers? http://hometownsource.com/2012/08/16/why-not-use-beat-the-odds-schools-to-help-train-a-new-generation-of-teachers/