National Nonprofit Joins Local Efforts to Expand Educational Opportunity
For Immediate Release
Contact: Danielle Montoya | Teach For America
646.761.2681 | danielle.montoya@teachforamerica.org
OKLAHOMA CITY, May 11, 2011— Teach For America announced today that it will expand to Oklahoma City, with plans to bring 50 teachers to work in the city’s highest-need schools this fall. These teachers, also called corps members, will teach across all grade levels and subject areas, and collectively will reach more than 3,000 students in the city. Secretary of Education Phyllis Hudecki, Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education Chairperson Angela Monson, Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Karl Springer, President and CEO of the Inasmuch Foundation Bob Ross, and supporters from across the city joined a press conference at U.S. Grant High School for the announcement.
Teach For America recruits, trains, and supports outstanding recent college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years in schools in low-income communities and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity. The organization chose to expand to Oklahoma City based on support from local community, business, and school district leaders seeking an additional source of effective teachers to address the city’s achievement gap.
“Oklahoma City Public Schools is excited to finally have the opportunity to partner with Teach For America,” said Superintendent Springer. “This partnership is another strategy that will prepare our students for success in school, work, and life. OKCPS is thrilled to have Teach For America on board and is looking forward to seeing its teachers in class with our students when school starts on August 1.”
With this expansion, Teach For America increases its impact in Oklahoma, as the organization has placed corps members in Tulsa since 2009. This fall, the 50 corps members in Oklahoma City and 150 corps members in Tulsa together will impact more than 13,000 students, about 10 percent of whom are from American Indian backgrounds. Teach For America’s operations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa will be led by Lance Tackett, executive director of Teach For America-Oklahoma.
“Ensuring all children have access to a quality education is a top priority for our state, and bringing Teach For America to Oklahoma City is a very positive step in our efforts to further enhance our educational programs,” said Secretary of Education Hudecki. “The Teach For America corps members, who are committed to education excellence and equity for all students, have a profound impact on the lives of the students they teach across the nation. Oklahoma City Public Schools students will no doubt benefit from the experiences and unique perspectives these teachers will bring to the classrooms.”
“We’re excited to expand Teach For America’s impact to Oklahoma City and to build on the city’s strong commitment to ensuring that all children have access to an excellent education,” said Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach For America. “We’re grateful for the leadership of Superintendent Springer and the generosity of all our community partners and supporters. We look forward to working together to recruit and develop individuals who will join other committed teachers in Oklahoma City to expand educational opportunity for the city’s children.”
A growing body of rigorous research demonstrates that Teach For America corps members are highly effective in the classroom. In 2010, the Tennessee State Board of Education found that Teach For America teachers in the state made a statistically significant, positive difference on student achievement in every evaluated subject, and had a greater impact on student achievement than other new teachers. A 2010 study from the University of North Carolina found that corps members added the equivalent of an extra half-year of learning in middle school mathematics. Additionally, a 2009 Urban Institute study found that high school students taught by Teach For America teachers outperformed their peers, even those taught by fully certified teachers.
“Our partnership with Teach For America demonstrates several key things for Oklahoma City Public Schools,” said Monson, chairperson of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education. “First and foremost, our commitment to improving the quality of education afforded to the children who attend Oklahoma City Public Schools by establishing a model of exemplary teaching and engagement of students in the classroom. Secondly, this partnership is significant because it reaches deep into our own community, demonstrating what can be accomplished collectively. We thank Inasmuch Foundation, Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy, E.L and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Corp., The Meinders Foundation, Hobby Lobby Stores, SandRidge Energy, and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce for helping to make this partnership possible.”
Teach For America’s network includes more than 20,000 alumni across the country who are working in education and every other professional sector to level the playing field for children and families in low-income communities. Oklahoma is home to some 30 Teach For America alumni. Nationally, more than 13,000 alumni remain in education, with more than 550 serving as principals and school leaders.
“This is a great milestone for public education in Oklahoma City. With a goal of helping to enhance the Oklahoma City Public School system, several community partners joined the public school leadership to bring Teach For America to our community,” said Ross, president and CEO of Inasmuch Foundation. “Teach For America aims to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting recent college graduates and our nation's most promising future leaders to teach for two or more years in low-income communities throughout the United States.”
Additional Remarks from Supporters
"As we look for solutions to the challenges facing public education in Oklahoma City, Teach For America's innovative approach touches two areas that are important to our city's continuing renaissance. It provides an opportunity for our talented young people to stay in the city and have a positive impact on our kids. And it helps our schools teach and develop the type of students who will one day be the leaders of this community. Teach For America is a good long-term investment for the city's children and community at large. We welcome their partnership in our city's future and thank our local funding partners who have made it happen." – Mick Cornett, Mayor, Oklahoma City
“Oklahoma is on the cusp of a renaissance. A key element to that end is a quality workforce. Teach For America aims to eliminate educational inequality and will result in enhancing the school system and improving Oklahoma.” – Todd Lamb, Lieutenant Governor
“I am thrilled that Teach For America will place teachers in Oklahoma City Public Schools this fall. Teach For America is an additional pipeline to bring talented and effective teachers into our schools, to ensure that all of our students have the chance to realize their dreams. Working in partnership with other teachers in our district, these Teach For America teachers will have a positive impact on our students and, over the long run, strengthen our community.” – Janet Barresi, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
"It is great news for Oklahoma City and surrounding area that Teach For America will soon be partnering with the Oklahoma City School District. I have never been more proud of Oklahoma City’s community leadership which has raised the private funds to make this step possible. All across the country great progress has been made in schools where Teach For America is present. Over the past few years, some of OU’s most outstanding graduates have entered the program. I’ve been inspired by experiences which they have shared with me of countless lives that have been changed by this outstanding program. Now our outstanding graduates will be able to server in public schools close to home.” – David L. Boren, President, University of Oklahoma
About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. Today, more than 8,200 corps members are teaching in 39 regions across the country while 20,000 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.
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