Recruiting and Retaining Teachers for High Needs Schools: “It Takes a Valley” Dr. Susan Meyers, Dean March 6, 2009

Agenda Rationale and Research Base It Takes a Valley – Description of Project It Takes a Valley – From the Student’s Perspective First Step – Selecting the Students

Rationale and Research Base Dr. Ken Futernick Study: A Possible Dream: Retaining California Teachers So All Students Learn % of California’s teachers leave after their first four years in the classroom A sample of 875 stayers and leavers responded to the on-line survey:

Rationale and Research Base Differences Between dissatisfied leavers of high-poverty schools 28% leavers in high poverty schools stated credential program coursework did not prepare them to be successful in their school compared to 2% in low poverty schools 21% of leavers in high poverty schools stated that their student teaching experience did not prepare them to be successful in their school compared to 4% of leavers in low poverty schools… 20% completed student teaching as “emergency permit teachers” 49% of leavers in high poverty schools stated lack of parent involvement affected their decision to leave vs. 25% leavers in low poverty schools 40% leavers in high poverty schools stated lack of texts and materials vs. 22% leavers in low poverty schools

Rationale and Research Base Expectations and Reality Student Experiences: Learning the Culture of the Community Learning About Boundaries Learning About Families Learning About School Culture Learning About English Learners

It Takes a Valley Project Description Selecting Schools and Teacher Partners Selecting Student Participants The Four Community Service Learning Semesters

Semester One: In the High Poverty School in the classroom and beyond the classroom seminar and journal

The Four Community Service Learning Semesters Semester Two: In the Social Service Agency chemical dependence course learning about family challenges night rides family counseling sessions seminar and journal

The Four Community Service Learning Semesters Semester Three: Business and Technology learning the world of business exploring teaching with technology seminar and journal

The Four Community Service Learning Semesters Semester Four: In the High Poverty School bringing it all together preparing for transition to intern program

“It Takes a Valley” From the Students’ Perspective

Selection of teacher partners and student participants is the first key Work with partners: create a list of interview questions for the teachers create a list of interview questions for student participants Write your best questions on the card the list will be available for you before the end of our conference