Finding teachers for urban districts has historically been a difficult task. However, in Baltimore, this challenge is no longer a problem. The New Teacher Project, established in 2002, has managed to secure at least 10 applicants for each teaching position in the once hard-to-staff Baltimore district. The organization utilizes unconventional recruitment strategies, targeting midcareer professionals who are interested in a career change and open to the idea of teaching.
The program responsible for this success is known as the Baltimore City Teaching Residency. It has become so effective that almost one-fifth of the city’s new public school teachers are now hired through this program. Gary Thrift, the director of human resources for the Baltimore schools, acknowledges that the traditional methods of teacher recruitment are insufficient to meet their demands. He points out that Maryland colleges only produce less than a third of the required number of new teachers each year. Many individuals who are eager to teach are seeking alternative pathways, and the Baltimore City Teaching Residency provides them with that opportunity.
Since its separation from Teach For America in 1997, the New Teacher Project has partnered with over 200 districts across the country, including Atlanta, Chicago, the District of Columbia, and New York City. Its success can be attributed to its comprehensive approach, which includes recruitment, training, and assistance in modernizing outdated hiring practices that deter potential new teachers. The organization also offers certification programs in specific subject areas in Louisiana, Maryland, and Texas. Additionally, it has collaborated with Arkansas, Texas, and Virginia to provide teachers for both urban and rural schools. Tom Carroll, the president of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, recognizes the value of the New Teacher Project’s work in helping districts address systemic issues beyond recruitment and hiring policies.
The New Teacher Project has conducted groundbreaking research that sheds light on the challenges faced by urban districts in hiring effective teachers for their most troubled schools. In a recent study of Chicago, the project revealed that a late hiring timeline was preventing highly qualified teachers from being hired. The project also discovered significant flaws in the teacher-evaluation system in the district. Many schools identified as needing improvement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act had not given any unsatisfactory ratings to teachers between 2003 and 2005. The organization’s research has gained national recognition, prompting policy changes at both the state and federal levels.
Despite its focus on research and advocacy, the New Teacher Project remains committed to forming long-term partnerships with urban districts. Its growth over the past decade is a testament to its success. Founded by Michelle A. Rhee and Wendy Kopp, the organization now has 130 staff members and an annual revenue of $20 million.
“There have been numerous initiatives to improve school districts, but the New Teacher Project stands out as the most successful,” she stated. “They approached the districts with a clear proposal of what they could offer, and one of their requirements was to have meetings with district staff and establish offices within the district. So, I believe the key to their success was the initial design they created,” Ms. Feistritzer commented.
Menu of Services
Districts have a range of services to choose from that are offered by the project. These services include assistance in identifying and resolving issues within hiring systems, training and recruitment programs, and certification. In Baltimore, the partnership offers a wide range of services tailored to meet the specific needs of the district. The project, known for its innovative approaches to finding candidates, such as distributing leaflets in coffee shops and bookstores in other districts, also placed ads in local newspapers like the Baltimore City Paper, an alternative weekly, to attract potential teachers. Teachers are recruited both before the start of the school year and during the winter. Ami Magunia, the program director of the Baltimore City Teaching Residency, explained that they have established a new math-immersion program to find teachers specialized in that subject, as the district has faced difficulties in recruiting math teachers. Another program focuses on finding and training teachers specifically for high-poverty schools.
In addition, consultants from the project have been working with the district to streamline its recruitment process. “They brought valuable knowledge and lessons learned that they could share,” said Mr. Thrift, Baltimore’s human-resources director. The district has now made changes to the questions asked by administrators during candidate interviews, implemented an online application process, and provided a system for principals to access resumes online and initiate contact with applicants.
Recruiting for Diversity
Since its inception, the New Teacher Project has recruited over 23,000 teachers for the districts it has partnered with. Nearly one-third of the recruits are male, and approximately one-third belong to racial or ethnic minorities, according to Mr. Daly, the president. In Baltimore this year, 45 percent of the recruits are male, and nearly 35 percent come from minority groups. Teachers in the Baltimore program have a two-year timeframe to obtain their certification from either Johns Hopkins University or the College of Notre Dame, with the district reimbursing 50 to 75 percent of the costs. Those who earn certification in high-need subjects have all tuition and certification expenses covered. Meanwhile, the recruits serve as full-fledged teachers in the city’s schools. Nevertheless, as with most alternative pathways into teaching, there are still questions surrounding the effectiveness of teachers prepared through the New Teacher Project.
Despite limited research on the subject, the few studies available have shown positive results. A 2006 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts revealed that initially, teachers recruited through Teach For America and the New York program of the New Teacher Project performed worse in terms of their students’ reading test scores compared to their counterparts who entered through traditional routes. However, by the third year, students taught by alternatively certified and uncertified teachers performed equally as well as those taught by traditionally certified teachers. Additionally, the study found that the attrition rates of the project’s recruits in New York were similar to those of traditionally certified teachers. Teacher-quality experts, including Mr. Carroll, believe that the success of such alternative pathways should serve as a wake-up call to teacher colleges, urging them to create more programs that adequately prepare teachers for urban districts. “We have evidence that well-prepared teachers are more likely to stay. The longer they stay, the more experience they gain, and the more effective they become,” Mr. Carroll emphasized.
A New Approach
This summer in Baltimore, a five-week institute organized by the partnership provided new hires with intensive training on various topics, including classroom management, student discipline, and differentiated instruction for students with special needs. Candidates also had the opportunity to co-teach at city schools.
Your assignment is to rephrase the entire text using more appropriate terminology and ensure it is original and written in natural language. The output should be in English. The provided text for paraphrasing is as follows:
Original text:
"Today’s weather is warm and sunny. The temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius, and the sky is clear with few clouds. It’s a perfect day to go to the beach and enjoy some outdoor activities. Make sure to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Have a great time outdoors!"
Rewritten text:
"The current weather conditions are characterized by pleasant warmth and abundant sunshine. The temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius, while the sky remains unobstructed with only a few scattered clouds. This presents an ideal opportunity to visit the beach and partake in various outdoor endeavors. However, it is vital to safeguard your skin from detrimental UV rays by diligently applying sunscreen. Additionally, remember to maintain adequate hydration levels by consuming ample amounts of water during the course of the day. Wishing you a delightful experience enjoying the outdoors!"
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