Contents
TFA is a fairly prestigious and selective program (for the past several years, fewer than 15% of applicants were admitted, a lower acceptance rate than that of Harvard Law School). It can be an incredible way to start teaching in a high needs school, but it’s also really hard, and not the right fit for everyone.Feb 3, 2019
To qualify, you must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and you have to have your bachelor’s degree by the time you start teaching. The first step is an online application via TeachForAmerica.org. It’s a pretty straightforward process that asks for a résumé and presents questions to answer.
Year | # of Applicants | # of Regions |
---|---|---|
2014 | 50,276 | 50 |
2015 | 44,181 | 52 |
2016 | 37,000 | 53 |
2017 | 49,000 | 53 |
TFA has real problems — its teachers are largely unprepared and fare no better than regular educators. It has a high drop-out rate, and the number of applicants has plummeted. … Some school districts have even rescinded contracts with TFA, citing teachers’ lack of preparation and low retention rates.
They found that “TFA teachers tend to have a positive effect on high school student test scores relative to non-TFA teachers, including those who are certified in the field. Such effects offset or exceed the impact of additional years of experience and are particularly strong in science.”
TFA is a fairly prestigious and selective program (for the past several years, fewer than 15% of applicants were admitted, a lower acceptance rate than that of Harvard Law School). It can be an incredible way to start teaching in a high needs school, but it’s also really hard, and not the right fit for everyone.
We welcome people of all backgrounds, ages, and experiences to apply to the corps. In recent years, about thirty percent of our corps have attended graduate school or worked full time before joining Teach For America.
And, while universities (e.g. Boston University) do offer TFA corps a discounted tuition rate, parents, applicants and corps members are surprised to learn that their graduate study is not free, just because they are affiliated with Teach For America and complete their two years as a TFA corps member in good standing.
Teach For America is not specifically a certification or graduate education program. However, depending on your region, you may earn your certification after teaching for two years. In most regions, you will be required to work towards certification while teaching by paying for and completing coursework and exams.
But TFA is not progressive. The data-driven pedagogy, the fast-track preparation, the union-busting, the forced exploitation of your labor, the deep-pocketed affiliation with corporate education reform are all very conservative, very anti-progressive ideas. Look no further than TFA’s list of supporters/donors.
Teach For America applicants rank their top regional preferences (up to 10) out of the 50 regions to choose from. You must attend summer training, which lasts several weeks, so it’s essential that you’re available on the dates your region holds its training.
Credentialing requirements, including but not limited to testing, can cost up to $1,500. The tuition is $6,195 per year, which is equal to the value of the annual Americorps award.
It pays well and looks good on a resume. The same could be said about Teach for America, minus the money. Both programs carry with it a certain prestige sought by frantic college seniors on the verge of graduation.
Teach for America can be a life-changing and incredible experience, but I would only encourage those interested in education and social justice to apply. If, however, you do think TFA is a good fit for you, it should be said that it is highly regarded by medical school admissions committees.
While specific regional placement is not guaranteed, 80 percent of TFA’s applicants are assigned to their most preferred location. We know that your personal location preferences are important. Read more below about our placement process.
Title I is one of the federal funding streams that supplements how much money each state allocates for schools. … These burdens include poverty, homelessness, living in state-run institutions, living in isolated rural districts, and those still learning the English language.
The U.S. Department of Education welcomes foreign educators who can satisfy the rules and requirements for teacher certification. … Any non-citizen who wants to teach in a U.S. school must first obtain a temporary or permanent visa from the U.S. embassy in their home country.
Most national institutes take place over five weeks. Some regional institutes extend your training to seven or eight weeks.
How is TFA funded? Teach For America raises money nationally and locally from a diverse set of donors, including businesses, foundations, government organizations, and individuals. Approximately 29 percent of our operating cash contributions come from public sources and 71 percent from private sources.
Teach For America works toward the day when every child will receive an excellent and equitable education. We find and nurture leaders who commit to expanding opportunity for low-income students, beginning with at least two years teaching in a public school.
“ The AmeriCorps Teaching Fellowship at Citizen Schools gives leaders real teaching and non-profit experience, while engaging them deeply in communities and schools. Two years of service helps to build the school of the future. Build relationships with a team of middle-school students.
Does Teach For America help with relocation costs? … Packages are designed to assist with costs including travel to training and to the community where you’ll teach, relocation expenses, and testing and initial certification fees.
Military members with a baccalaureate degree or higher are eligible to begin the teaching certification process to become an academic subject teacher. … Military members from all of the armed forces can use tuition assistance for their teaching certification while on active duty.