[View the story " Is Teach for America doing more harm or good for America's education system?" on Storify ] Is Teach for America doing more harm or good for America's education system? A recap of The Stream's Feb. 24 show about the effectiveness of Teach for America. Storified by AJAMStream · Tue, Feb 25 2014 12:08:54
Is Teach For America making the grade? Watch @AJAMStream tonight at 7:30pm EST on @ajam and join the conversation with #AJAMStream.Teach For America
Several TFA employees shared why they supported the nonprofit:
ASK ME: About my @TeachForAmerica teachers, my TFA staff experience and why I continue to love, fight with and fight for TFA. #AJAMStreamDuanecia A. Evans
39% of new TFA teachers this year (6,000 in all) are people of color, compared to 17% nationally. #AJAMStreamJuice Fong
TFA employee Adam Schmidt questioned whether the organization was the right target of criticism:
.@AJAMStream #TFA corps members comprise 0.00370% of U.S. classroom teachers. criticism is welcome, but is it proportional? #AJAMStreamAdam Schmidt
Many focused on the importance of teacher retention and teaching experience, regardless of TFA affiliation:
Teacher retention in high-need schools is critical national issue - not just #TFA issue. How do we work together to solve? #AJAMStreamRobyn Fehrman
I agree: I'd like to see more TFA teachers stay in the classroom longer, because I know how much of an asset they can be. #AJAMStreamJuice Fong
Lack of experienced teachers is not a #TFA problem. It's an #American problem. #AJAMStreamEmily Kay Brookhart
Others argued the organization is harmful to public education:
At a time when Head Start is being cut at historic levels, #TFA draws attention & resources away from systemic fixes. #AJAMStream #ResistTFABrian Trautman
Whether intentions are malicious or not, #TFA threatens the traditional public school. #AJAMStreamErin Osborne
.@AJAMStream TFA pretends to be apolitical, but is a key element of a larger project to privatize education. Many TFAers don't realize this.Owen Davis
Those who oppose the group tweeted photos of themselves with signs explaining why:
#AJAMstream #ResistTFA @teachforamerica Alum, @chadsommer resists because... http://t.co/pWhBNu6F0BSUPE
#AJAMstream Student from Connecticut College chooses to #ResistTFA because... http://t.co/GU4m1SVGSwSUPE
#AJAMstream #ResistTFA Student and future teacher @JacobBayes compares his training to TFA's training: http://t.co/n5yGPGjM7GSUPE
Many TFA alumni praised the program and shared how the experience encouraged them to remain in the classroom or effect change in different career fields:
#AJAMStream Came to Houston in '00 with #TFA & have been in education ever since, 10 yrs on campuses, in HISD & now @YESPrepPetra Claflin
Proud to develop teacher leaders & keep gr8 teachers in ed who arrive via @TeachForAmerica, residencies, ed schools #AJAMStream @leadingedsJonas Chartock
I was a #teachforamerica #sped placement. Felt prepared and supported every day. Not just by TFA but veteran teachers as well #AJAMStreamMatt Bjork
I've carried my #TFA experience w/ me to law school so I can advocate for ed reform thru law and policy. @WajahatAli #AJAMStreamMatthew Wilson
Critics focused on whether the program truly connects with urban school districts and how TFA teachers are seen as "saviors" for kids:
How can middle America, upper middle class, ivy league corp members authentically connect with inner city students? #AJAMStreamErin Osborne
Interesting discussion on #AJAMStream...I wanna hear about how some #TFA teachers approach inner city teaching with a "savior" mentality.Jess Young
Sorry #TFA folks, it's not about your good hearts. I am sure you are a well-intentioned bunch. About whole effect #ResistTFA #AJAMStreamJesse Bacon
Others mentioned the positive impact of TFA on low-income communities:
Without #TFA, most of my friends wouldn't be in college and I wouldn't have gained an interest in education policy. #AJAMStream #ResistTFAMichael
Challenges of poverty require more than edu. Proud of the 79% of TFA alumni whose work directly impacts low-income communities. #AJAMStreamJuice Fong
Some teachers addressed the relationship between TFA teachers and non-TFA teachers:
Proud to teach with many #TFA alums. Dedicated agents of change within my school. @TeachForAmerica #AJAMStreamBronx Teacher
So glad my fellow veteran teachers did not #ResistTFA We made a great team and helped all children in our school. #AJAMStreamMatt Bjork
@RobynFehrman I get both sides. Sometimes the vets are down right mean. Admin needs to "foster better collab". #AJAMStreamNewTeacherInstitute
Several offered solutions for the improving the program:
Yes, #TFA model should change; start recruiting frsh yr, pair recruits w/master teachers, req. certain number of in-class hours #AJAMStreamJess Young
Offer those willing to commit 3 years minor advantage in admissions process. Let's see what happens; let the data speak. #AJAMStream @jgfongAnthony LaMesa
Five year commitment will KEEP #tfa in the classroom! #AJAMStream it will rid the resume-boosting law/med/business applications #5yearTFAdave lewandowski
There needs to be a collaboration between all stake-holders. TFA only training groups doesn't allow for local cultural knowledge #AJAMStreamNewTeacherInstitute
What do you think of the #ResistTFA conversation and the TFA program? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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