Skip to main content
Implement for Impact
Search Find
Explore Methodology

Teach for America (TFA): Recruiting and Selecting Graduates to Teach in Challenging K-12 Schools

Add to Comparison

Intervention Details

Subjects

English Language Arts, Math, Science & STEM

Academic Program

General Education

Duration

N/A

Grades

9, 10, 11, 12

Personnel

General Education Teacher

Intervention Summary

Teach for America (TFA) is a program that recruits and selects graduates from selective colleges and universities to teach in the nation's most challenging K-12 schools. TFA targets schools with high poverty rates and aims to address the crucial need to staff these schools with effective teachers. TFA corps members participate in an intensive five-week summer national institute and a two-week local orientation/induction program prior to their first teaching assignment. The program focuses on recruiting and selecting academically talented recent college graduates and placing them in schools serving disadvantaged students, with the goal of reducing the achievement gap, even if teachers stay in teaching only a few years.

Statistical Finding Summary

Positive effect on student exam performance

Positive effect on student science test scores

Positive effect on student performance for students taught by TFA teachers compared to traditional teachers with similar qualifications

Positive effect on student performance for students taught by TFA teachers compared to traditional teachers with 3 or more years of experience

Positive effect on student performance for students taught by TFA teachers compared to traditional track teachers

Positive effect on student performance for students in the top quarter of performance

Positive effect on student performance for students in the bottom quarter of performance

Positive effect on student performance for students in the middle two quarters of performance

Source

Colin, T., Jane, H. & Zeyu, X. (2009). Making a Difference? The Effects of Teach for America in High School. Working Paper 17. Revised (ED509654). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED509654.pdf.

Data Sample by Population

These charts show the characteristics of the student populations studied. When assessing programs, you may want to prioritize interventions that yielded success in a similar demographic environment as your school or district.