University of North Carolina Study Shows Positive Impact of Teach For America Teachers

DURHAM, N.C., April 8, 2010—A new study from the University of North Carolina compares the effects on student achievement of graduates from the UNC teacher-preparation system—which is the leading provider of teachers in the state—with teachers from other pathways, including Teach For America.

At every grade level and subject studied, Teach For America corps members did as well as or better than traditionally prepared UNC graduates:

Middle school math students in Teach For America teachers' classrooms received the equivalent of an extra half-year of learning.
Teach For America corps members’ impact on overall student achievement in high school was greater than that of UNC grads, and corps members outperformed UNC grads in teaching high school science, math, and English.

View the full study results»
Impacts of Teacher Preparation on Student Test Scores in North Carolina: Teacher Portals, (Gary T. Henry and Charles L. Thompson, 2010)

Read press coverage of the results in the Charlotte Observer», the Fayetteville Observer», and the Daily Tar Heel»

About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This year, 7,300 corps members are teaching in 35 regions across the country, while 17,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.