Amid many criticisms of our current education system comes a somewhat new manner of preparing teachers for the urban classroom. This effort could be viewed as school reform and in many ways it is, it is called “teacher residency programs.”
Yes, believe it or not, in some areas of the United States teachers are completing residencies, somewhat akin to a doctor. These rigorous programs are attempting to prepare teachers to go into low performing schools and stay three to five years, while hopefully making strong inroads to positive change in the urban schools they will serve.
At present retaining teachers in urban public schools is next to impossible. Nearly 50% of urban teachers leave their positions within the first three years. Why they leave could be up for discussion, but most can be attributed to lack of school leadership and lack of preparation to deal with the many difficult situations they approach on a daily basis.
Teacher residency programs, like the one used by the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), have been working since 2001 trying to improve failing public schools; in this case schools in Chicago. The not-for-profit AUSL program has a good reputation and very strong backing, considering that the new Secretary of Education, Arnie Duncan, a former leader of the Chicago Public Schools, once fired a large number of school leaders and teachers, then turned the schools over to the AUSL.
Since then, AUSLs “charter schools” have been performing much better and there are hopes that this program can spread as Secretary Duncan now has $5 billion dollars he can commit to the nations 5,000 lowest performing schools. These dollars are almost solely dedicated to reform efforts like charter schools, much like the ones in Chicago, where developers can start new public schools and/or convert existing schools, schools that support teacher residency programs.
While these reforms are receiving a great deal of support from President Obama, they are creating animosity with the National Education Association (NEA), the nations largest teacher union. The NEA contends closing schools and eliminating teachers as has happened is unfair. NEA also feels that No Child Left Behind (NCLB) offered up charter schools as a method of educational reform to start new and more effective schools, but doing so should become a choice of last resort.
With that said, charter school programs are becoming somewhat popular and, while there are public concerns with the current system of admissions i.e. lotteries, these schools are filling up with students.
How do teachers feel about “charter schools” and “teacher residency programs?” Do these educational reforms offer solutions to urban schools alone or can other school systems benefit as well?
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I would assume the teacher mentoring program that is supported by DPI in ND could be somewhat similar to the teacher residency programs but there are some big hurdles to overcome in such rural states like ours. I think the idea of teacher residency is really important. I would believe the teacher retention rate on reservation schools would be similar to the retention rate in urban schools. Maybe we can learn from these programs and better support the most challenged teachers in our area.
ReplyDeleteI have one question. The article states, “NEA contends closing schools and eliminating teachers as has happened is unfair.” My question is, “unfair to whom?”
I know who NEA means but where/when should the fairness to the KIDS be the priority?
I really think that it depends on your environment. In North Dakota, we would feel a bit territorial,I'm afraid, if a charter school opened up across the street from our public school. However, if you are living in the war zones of some urban cities, charter schools may seem like a holy anointing from God.
ReplyDeleteKIPP --the Knowledge is Power Program-- is one example. These students come from extremely poor neighborhoods where a generational hopelessness has to be broken. Students are chosen by lottery and must make significant commitments to attend these schools.
Maybe we should all take heed and study the charter schools that are succeeding in spite of overwhelming odds. Shouldn't we do everything we can for our students.