Teacher Preparation Pathways: Differences in Program Selection and Teacher Retention

• In Event: 81.032 - MTCC Roundtable Session 37
  In Roundtable Session: 81.032-4 - Alternative Routes and Residencies: Networks, Third Spaces, and Mentors

Abstract

Population and employment projections show the gap between teacher supply and demand will grow through 2025. Alternative certification programs (ACP) were created to increase teacher production, but research on who selects ACPs versus traditional preparation programs (TPPs) shows mixed results as does research on new teacher attrition. Analyzing employment and preparation data for almost 200,000 new teachers (61% ACP), we found male and Black teachers were more likely to be ACP prepared. Using survival analysis, we found TPP teachers were significantly more likely to remain in the classroom than ACP teachers. We also found that Black and Latinx teachers were more likely to stay teaching, and Latinx teachers from TPPs were most likely to stay teaching. Policy implications are examined.

Authors

• James P Van Overschelde, Texas State University

• Afi Y. Wiggins, The University of Texas at Austin