Highly effective teachers and school leaders are of utmost importance to improve student achievement and ensure the success of the education system. Unfortunately, students in underserved schools are not provided equitable access to effective teachers and leaders. For this reason, many states and districts have implemented evidence-based talent…

One study after another shows American students ranking behind their international counterparts in the STEM fields--science, technology, engineering, and math. Business people such as Bill Gates warn that this alarming situation puts the United States at a serious disadvantage in the high-tech global marketplace of the twenty-first century, and…

Teach For America (TFA) and the Teaching Fellows programs are an important and growing source of teachers of hard-to-staff subjects in high-poverty schools, but comprehensive evidence of their effectiveness has been limited. This report presents findings from the first large-scale random assignment study of secondary math teachers from these…

Teach For America (TFA) and the Teaching Fellows programs are an important and growing source of teachers of hard-to-staff subjects in high-poverty schools, but comprehensive evidence of their effectiveness has been limited. This report presents findings from the first large-scale random assignment study of secondary math teachers from these…

The Central Region states have greater percentages of rural students and schools than the U.S. average. This report describes how nine teacher preparation programs in the region prepare their graduates for teaching positions in rural settings. The study found that, of 120 institutions in the Central Region that offer teacher preparation, only 17…

Project TRREE (Teacher Recruitment and Retention for Educational Excellence) is a federally funded project conducted by the Kentucky Department of Education. The purpose of the project is to develop a systemic approach to increase the number of highly qualified special education teachers with a focus on recruitment of linguistically, culturally…

Argues that art education programs must actively recruit minority students for training in visual arts education. Describes a cooperative effort between an independent art college and a metropolitan school system to identify, recruit, train, and employ minority teachers in art education. Outlines a three-year plan that includes curriculum…

This digest reviews a variety of strategies that might be employed by school districts, teacher education institutions, and state educational agencies to attract, train, and retrain Hispanic teachers in math and science. The need for long-term solutions is discussed. Five action-oriented steps to attract Hispanic high school graduates into the…

School executives can ensure themselves a superior teaching force by aggressively seeking applicants from numerous teacher education institutions, inviting teachers to visit schools, observing candidates in the classroom as part of the selection process, and using intelligent interviewing practices. Del Stover's sidebar reviews John Goodlad's…

This publication is designed to provide schools and school districts with help in addressing the challenge of recruiting and retaining excellent substitute teachers. It includes information on a variety of school district approaches to hiring, compensating, and supporting substitute teachers. Districts that provide training in classroom management…

Lists 10 premises affecting the future of teaching, including trends toward teacher shortages, declining entry standards, unattractive salaries and working conditions, and standardized curricula. Presents three scenarios: business-as-usual, two-tiered (permanent senior teacher cadres instructing temporary teachers), and a professional scenario…

Discusses the development of vocational schools in China. Attributes the slow growth of technical education to government interest. Defines the primary problem as a shortage of good teachers. Suggests that regular universities adjust their specialities and that vocational schools recruit retired professionals and set up teacher training programs.…

Discusses a projected critical under supply of Ph.D. level professors. Describes and ranks eight categories of people who may be considered as colleges attempt to fill vacant positions. Recommends vigorous selection and training of new Ph.D.s and full-time employment of competent researchers and teachers. (SG)

Discussion of declining African-American representation in education, particularly teacher education programs, argues that the barriers responsible must be torn down and immediate action taken to close the gap. Ten workable methods of African-American student recruitment to elementary and secondary teaching and strategies to increase…

MENTOR in Education, a school-university partnership based in New York City and designed to acquaint talented minority high school students with careers in teaching, is described. Two innovative school models and their effects on participating students' educational aspirations and career choices are discussed. (MSE)