Educator Preparation, Innovation and Research

20,000 by 2020

Print friendly Modified September 28, 2009

Meeting 80% of the State’s Need for Teachers

Download one page summary Download presentation to the Board of Regents, November 10, 2008

Doctoral candidate graduates from Georgia Southern

The University System of Georgia is committed to meeting 80% of the state’s need for teachers by the year 2020. This will be accomplished by recruiting and preparing an increasing number of new teachers, retaining quality teachers, and retraining teachers to meet state needs. The “20,000 by 2020” Initiative directly addresses Goal 4 of the University System’s Strategic Plan: To strengthen teacher quality, recruitment, and retention.

With 22 USG teacher preparation programs either in place or under development, the University System is able to increase the number of teachers produced without losing quality. Separately and collaboratively these institutions are using strategic planning and innovative programs to most efficiently prepare quality teachers to meet specific needs in specific areas of the state.

The University System’s “20,000 by 2020” Initiative will increase the number of teachers while maintaining the high level of quality of USG-prepared teachers by

  • Adding teacher preparation programs at six additional USG institutions
  • Streamlining the teacher preparation process
  • Retaining new teachers by focusing on teacher mentoring and induction programs
  • Offering teacher preparation programs on two-year college campuses
  • Continuing strong collaboration with the Department of Education and the Professional Standards Commission
  • Developing new recruitment strategies

Strategies:

Teacher preparation programs within the University System are working together using a number of overlay strategies managed through Educator Preparation, Innovation and Research to maximize their effectiveness in producing quality teachers. These strategies include:

The Academy for Future Teachers which recruits students into teaching while they are still in high school.

Destination Teaching which focuses on recruiting teachers in different sectors by targeting

  • Career changers
  • College students who have not yet declared a major
  • College students in various disciplines

GEORGIAonMYLINE which allows USG teacher preparation programs on different campuses to combine their efforts and reach broader audiences through online learning. For example, the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) provides access and flexibility for college graduates/career changers who want to become teachers.

Prior Learning Assessments (PLA) which offer career changers course credit for relevant and appropriate work experience.

The USG STEM Initiative which utilizes innovative programs to train critically needed teachers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.

Partnering Agencies for Educator Preparation: