A sound public education, especially in grades K-12, is taken for granted by many University students. It was available to many of them, and they assume it will continue to be a fixture well into the lives of their own children.
But the foundations for a good college education could be crumbling. According to the U.S. Department of Education, almost 70 percent of all fourth graders cannot read at a basic level — that’s two out of three students.
The reasons for failure can be as varied as the students themselves.
Socioeconomic challenges such as lack of adequate nutrition, minimal health care and limited preschool opportunities, all are factors affecting the success rate of school-age children. However, the largest problem facing young students may come from the schools they attend.
Representatives from Teach for America came to campus this week, enlisting college graduates for training as teachers in low-income school districts. Training takes place at Teach for America’s summer institute and lasts five weeks. After training, members are placed in schools across the nation for a period of two years.
Stacy Strauss, the director of recruitment support for Teach for America, said the gap between low-income area schools and higher-income schools is directly related to the level of achievement for school-age children. According to Strauss, schools in low-income areas are not equipped to deal with the struggles children experience because of poverty, lack of quality housing, lack of economic opportunity and insufficient social services.
“Teach for America is working to give low-income children an equal chance in life,” Strauss said. “Our goal is to close the achievement gap.”
The program is looking for students with math and science backgrounds, but all majors should apply, recruitment director Renee Purdy said. Students applying to the program this year must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, be U.S. citizens or legal residents and have their bachelor’s degree by June. Purdy recommends that students have their applications looked over and proofread by someone from the Career Center or Academic Learning Services.
“It’s very selective,” Purdy said. “We’re asking corps members to give 150 percent. It does take a very special individual to do this.”
Sam Myers, a University senior and one of two student campaign coordinators for Teach for America, plans on applying to the corps next fall. He believes that if he joins the program he will be able to make a difference in low-income schools.
“Kids are already so behind at such a young age,” Myers said. “The movement is looking for very ambitious people to go in and make a big change.”
The application deadline for this summer’s program is Feb. 21. For further information, contact Sam Myers at [email protected] or Cheryl Collins at [email protected].
Contact the reporter at [email protected].