Transcript TED Presentation - Wright State University

DIVERSIFYING
THE TEACHING FORCE
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
Colleen Finegan &
Ronald Helms
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
University Mission:
• Provide leadership to improve the quality
of life for the people of the Miami Valley.
History:
• Established in 1964
• Currently serves 17,000 + students
• Many first generation college grads
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
WSU Celebrates Diversity.
“... Wright State University
is committed to achieving an intellectual, cultural,
and social environment on campus
in which all are free to make their contribution...“
WSU Diversity Statement
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
WSU Celebrates Diversity
“... We will achieve an environment
in which every student may think, and learn, and grow
without prejudice, without intimidation,
and without discrimination... “
WSU Diversity Statement
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
WSU Celebrates Diversity
“... We will achieve an environment
in which personal dignity and respect
for the individual are recognized by all...”
WSU Diversity Statement
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
PARTNERS TRANSFORMING EDUCATION
is a collaborative partnership, initiated by
the College of Education and Human Services in 1992,
to bring about systemic change at all levels of education.
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
Partners Transforming Education
GOALS:
•
meet the educational needs of urban children
• prepare teachers who possess the attitudes, values and
skills necessary for teaching in the urban environment
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
THESE TWO GOALS ARE CLOSELY RELATED
The best way to meet the educational needs of urban
children is to
better prepare teachers so that
they possess the attitudes, values
and skills necessary for teaching
in the urban environment.
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
The College of Education and Human Services
FOCUSES CLOSELY ON THIS GOAL
to better prepare teachers so that
they possess the attitudes,
values and skills necessary for
in the urban environment
teaching
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
Recognizing Wright State’s commitment to this goal, the Ohio
Department of Education awarded a grant to the College of
Education and Human Services entitled:
PROJECT FOR
A
DIVERSIFIED
TEACHING
FORCE
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
PROJECT FOR A DIVERSIFIED TEACHING FORCE.
GOAL:
to increase the number of teachers from underrepresented groups
who choose to teach in the urban school systems.
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
CEHS belongs to a organization called the
Holmes Partnership,
originally called the
Holmes Group,
dedicated to
EDUCATIONAL RENEWAL
through partnerships with other educational entities,
the business world and the community.
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
The goals of WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY,
the goals of THE HOLMES PARTNERSHIP,
and the goals of the
PROJECT FOR A DIVERSIFIED TEACHING FORCE.
ARE A PERFECT FIT!
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
The original goals of the Holmes Group were to
• change the way teachers were educated.
• help construct a true profession of teaching.
• collaborate to transform the schools.
• restructure colleges of education more appropriately
THE HOLMES GROUP
The Holmes Group sets forth a vision of good teaching in
Tomorrow’s Teachers. The goals are to
• create relevant and intellectually defensible standards of
entry into teaching.
• develop comprehensive measures of teaching proficiency.
• identify, prepare and recruit students of color who would
make good teachers.
• provide financial aid throughout teacher preparation.
THE HOLMES GROUP
In Tomorrow’s Schools , the Holmes Group sets forth
principles for optimal design of schools of the future which
can be used to directly addresses the goal of
PROJECT FOR A DIVERSIFIED TEACHING FORCE
Tomorrow’s schools must provide learning success for all children.
In such learning communities teachers can work to overcome
the educational and social barriers raised by an unequal society.
THE HOLMES GROUP
In Tomorrow’s Schools of Education,
the Holmes Group suggests the need in higher education
for new curriculum,
instructional settings and arrangements,
new faculty and students, and new partnerships
THE HOLMES GROUP
The Holmes Group emphasizes the need to recruit people of color
into the ranks of the next generation of the education professorate.
PROJECT FOR A DIVERSIFIED TEACHING FORCE
has the same goal, to prepare educators, but at the
elementary and secondary level.
In 1996, the Holmes Partnership adopted six principal
goals. A major goal is to actively work on equity, diversity
and cultural competence in the programs of K-12 schools,
higher education and the education profession
This could be done by recruiting, preparing, and
sustaining faculty and students who reflect the rich
diversity of cultural perspectives in the country and our
global community.
This goal is closely correlated with
PROJECT FOR A DIVERSIFIED
TEACHING FORCE.
Research Base
Under-representation of African American Teachers
The need for African American teachers
has reached the point of desperation
Percentage of Black professionals in the teaching force
• In 1970 - 12% of the teaching force
• In 1987 - 08% of the teaching force
• In 1990 - 05% of the teaching force
In 1990, the American school-age population was more
than 30% minority.
Franklin (1994)
Research Base
Under-representation of African American Teachers
It is predicted that by the year 2000,
the percentage of Black professionals will reflect
• 03% of the teaching force
The American school-age population will
comprise 50% from those groups designated as
minority groups
Research Base
Under-representation of African American Teachers
The lower rate of Black teachers means that
Black students will be deprived of role models
• The students are deprived of a special relationship
that is essentially irreplaceable.
(Franklin, 1994)
• The students are deprived of exposure to teaching as a
career option, especially for males.
(Edmond, 1995)
Research Base
Under-representation of African American Teachers
Mid-Career Recruiting
Many prospective teachers are lured into more lucrative
fields for their first careers. Therefore, prospective Black
teachers should be recruited heavily mid-career, when
many may seek a career change.
(Hayes, 1995)
The retention rate of Black students returning as adults is
much higher than for younger Black students.
(White, 1994)
Research Base
Underrepresentation of African American Teachers
Retention of Teachers in Urban Schools
Many white teachers in multi-cultural classrooms are illprepared to handle the challenge and often leave the inner
city for the suburbs after about two years.
(Hayes , 1995)
Black teachers are often unusually determined and deeply
committed to the teaching profession
(Franklin, 1994)
Research Base
Underrepresentation of African American Teachers
Why are Blacks acutely under-represented
in college?
Main reason is lack of financial resources
With the presence of many single families among the Black
population, young adults often choose to help support
younger siblings, rather than go to college.
(White, 1994)
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
PROJECT FOR A DIVERSIFIED TEACHING FORCE
SPECIFICS
• Recruited among recommended substitute teachers with
undergraduate degrees from local urban school districts
• Designed one year (5 quarters) intensive program toward
certification
• Provided financial support to attend classes full time
• Provided stipend equivalent to substitute teachers’ salary
• Mentorship / Full Immersion Model
• Reduced cost for child care and summer enrichment program
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
PROJECT FOR A DIVERSIFIED TEACHING FORCE
PROCESS
• Collaboration with Dayton Public Schools
Area of academic need
Needs of teachers
• Recruitment Process in DPS / Dayton / WSU
• Decision-making process at WSU
Committee decision making process
Experience, Future commitment to DPS/ T-M,
Financial need, Barriers overcome
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education and Human Services
PROJECT FOR A DIVERSIFIED TEACHING FORCE
RECORD OF SUCCESS
• 1997-98 ---- 2 males committed to Dayton City Schools
and 1 female committed to Trotwood-Madison Schools
• 1998-99 ---- recruitment in process
Research Base
Underrepresentation of African American Teachers
References
Hayes, D. W. (1995). Teaching teachers: Lisa Delpit offers solutions
for connecting with a global classroom. Black Issues in Higher
Education.
Holmes Group, The (1990). A report of the Holmes Group: Tomorrow’s
Schools: Principles for the design of professional development schools.
East Lansing: The Holmes Group.
Franklin, J. H. (1994). The desperate need for black teachers. (First
printed in May/June 1987). Change, 26 (2). pp 41-43.
White, K. L. (1994). Dissecting a dilemma: The black male crisis in
higher education: New direction or status quo? Black Issues in
Higher Education.