"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Follow up: TFA in Charleston SC

I posted before about TFA coming to Charleston SC schools:

http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2011/12/holding-journalists-media-accountable.html

And the journalist did write a follow-up piece, with some challenges included to TFA:

Teach for America has supporters, critics

By Diette Courrégé
dcourrege@postandcourier.com
Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I am quoted, and solid comments against TFA are included, but the supporting comments are baffling, misguided, and disturbing. . for example:

"Charleston County schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley knows the founder of Teach for America, and she strongly believes the kind of teachers the nonprofit recruits can change the dynamics of the district's struggling schools. Schools nationwide are reaping the benefits of its well-refined system, and its competitive applicant pool, rigorous selection process and ongoing training program ensures schools receive educators who have a ripple effect, she said.

"'They came to teaching to change the world, and they have a missionary zeal,' McGinley said. 'Those people are not easy to come by.'

She said she wouldn't use Teach for America teachers with the district's high-achieving students because those children's teachers already are succeeding, she said."

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