“I am convinced it is a good program.” Those are the comments of House speaker Tom Tillis who raised the eye brows of conservatives last Friday when he said law makers were rethinking their decision to eliminate the Teaching Fellows program (See news article). Phasing out of the Teaching Fellows program was part of the state budget deal approved in June. (To read why I believe eliminating the Teaching Fellows program was the right choice, click here).
Tillis acknowledged receiving considerable feedback from program graduates, superintendents etc. While that is understandable, I’d simply ask the speaker: Were you presented with evidence that demonstrates the program is working? Did you find Teaching Fellows are dramatically boosting student performance and filling teaching jobs?
Every program has its advocates. However that doesn’t justify continued funding– especially in an era of budget reductions. A recent survey by the Department of Public Instruction found that less than half (49 percent) of the graduates of UNC education schools have jobs one year after completing their programs. In 2009, the N&O reported on the difficulties of Teaching Fellows finding jobs. Two years later, there has been little if any improvement in the job market; in many respects the job market for teachers and educators has actually worsened.
According to the Department of Public Instruction, since 2008-09 over 6,100 teacher positions have been eliminated and over 2,100 teachers laid off. Does it make any sense to continue to subsidize a program that has failed to produce measureable results and whose many graduates will likely only continue to have difficulty finding employment?
A good program? In these times that’s not sufficient reason to warrant funding. Where are the good results? I’m listening.
I expect we will see a lot of flip-flopping out of these joker Republicans before they are ousted!! SAVE OUR STATE VOTE Democratic if you love FREEDOM!
I hope to use this program to fund college but, dread being locked into a loosing system of mediocrity. Too many have failed to improve themselves enough be worthy of their own job. Poor examples can be seen in school everyday. From Civitas site, Teaching Fellows: A Closer Look. Posted on August 15, 2011 by Bob Luebke in Education wrote,
“If the Teaching Fellows program produces better teachers, twenty-five years and thousands of graduates should make noticeable impacts”
I agree completely and hope the future students can improve education.
Thanks a lot for being my personal lecturer on this issue. I enjoyed your article greatly and most of all enjoyed reading the way you handled the aspect I considered to be controversial. You’re always extremely kind towards readers really like me and let me in my lifestyle. Thank you.
George Marchelos