Annual University System of Georgia teacher production report [Jan. 2011]

Annual University System of Georgia Teacher Production Report January, 2011
Office of Educator Preparation, Innovation and Research Angela Coleman
Production and Programs
The preparation of highly effective teachers for all regions of Georgia continues to be a high priority for the University System of Georgia (USG). In 2008, through the "20,000 X 2020" initiative, USG committed to lead and participate as an active partner in strengthening the effectiveness of Georgia's teaching workforce and in meeting 80% of the State's demand for teachers. Evidence of past and current commitment is seen in the steady rise of USG teacher production over the last five years. Increases were observed in 2010 even amid the contraction of the teacher workforce fueled by the economic recession. Working to produce effective teachers when and where they are needed most throughout the state remains a top priority for the USG.

Number of Teachers

USG Aggregate Teacher Production

5000 4500 4000 3500

3500

3968

3822

4236

4573

4871

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Academic Year

Nineteen of the USG's 35 institutions currently recommend teachers for certification in Georgia (see www.destinationteaching.org for a list of those institutions). Five additional institutions have begun or will begin graduating teachers in the next few years. Of the 4871 teacher candidates, 66% were prepared in traditional bachelor's degree programs. Of particular note is that 34% of the teacher candidates were prepared in non-traditional programs (MAT and PostBaccalaureate programs), representing an increase of four percent over the percentage of nontraditional program completers the previous year.

Institutional Teacher Production (2010)

Total Overall

Traditional Preparation
Bachelors' Program

Non-Traditional Preparation

Graduate MAT
Program

PostBaccalaureate
Program

Kennesaw State University

697

626

64

7

University of Georgia

658

469

100

89

Georgia State University

555

199

331

25

University of West Georgia

409

301

34

74

Valdosta State University

397

242

133

22

North Georgia College & State University* 352

176

5

172

Armstrong Atlantic State University*

320

119

99

104

Georgia Southern University

282

238

43

1

Augusta State University

261

113

148

0

Columbus State University*

205

129

49

28

Georgia College & State University

197

97

100

0

Albany State University

113

113

0

0

Georgia Southwestern State University

86

85

0

1

Dalton State College

81

77

0

4

Macon State College

79

79

0

0

Gainesville State College

69

69

0

0

Gordon College

52

52

0

0

Clayton State University

48

48

0

0

Fort Valley State University

10

10

0

0

TOTAL USG

4871

3242

1106

527

*total overall graduates will be less than total number produced in each category as one candidate can complete multiple programs.

Production and Diversity

The USG provides leadership in diversifying the teaching workforce. The overall percentage of minority teachers produced declined slightly (from 25% in 2009 to 21% in 2010). This percentage, however, remains among the highest in the country.

USG Teacher Production by Minority Status

n

American Indian or Alaskan Native

17

Asian

80

Black

788

Hispanic

104

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

2

Two or more races

27

White

3635

Non-White

1018

Unknown

218

Total

4871

%
75% 21% 4%

Three institutions continue to demonstrate above average production in this area. Georgia State University, Augusta State University, and Columbus State University are top producers of teachers in overall numbers, and they also have minority representation among their graduates at 25% or more.

Institution
Georgia State University Augusta State University Columbus State University

Minority teachers as a % Total Number of total teachers produced of Teachers

35%

555

33%

261

27%

205

Further, the USG benefitted from the commitment of two historically black institutions, Fort Valley State University and Albany State University, which together prepared more than 100 teacher candidates, 80% of whom were minority.

Production by discipline
4871 candidates completed programs in 5266 areas of certification. Among all teacher candidates, nearly one-third completed programs in early childhood, about one-fifth in middle grades, and just under 10% in special education. It is important to note that middle grades teacher candidates in the USG must complete concentrations in two program areas (language arts, math, science, social science, or reading). Thus, the number of middle grades programs (1087) is roughly double the number of middle grades teacher candidates (559) as some students did not complete the requirements for their second concentration area. For all other program areas, the chart shows the number of teachers produced in P-12 certification areas such as art and physical education and in high school certification areas such as English and mathematics.

Within middle grades education, certifications are approximately equally distributed across the concentration areas: language arts, social science, mathematics, and science (refer to chart). Of the 559 middle grades education candidates, approximately 47% (261 students) completed programs to be certified in either math and/or science.
At the secondary (high school) level, approximately 6 %( 308 students), completed programs in STEM fields, with 135 teachers in the sciences and 173 in mathematics (refer to chart).
Looking to the Future
The Board of Regents and USG institutions remain committed to the goals of the "20,000 by 2020" initiative and to sharing the responsibility for producing effective teachers. At present, everyone is engaged in continual immprovement processes and partnerships with local school districts and state agencies to ensure the preparation of teachers who are effective and accountable for making certain that all K-12 students in Georgia receive an excellent 21st centruy education. The USG is keenly aware that student success in the workforce or in higher education begins with an excellent teacher in the K-12 classroom.
Given the very public downsizing of the teacher workforce recorded as early as the fall of 2008 and the very realistic projection that the State will once again have a need for highly effective teachers as the economy recovers, the USG recognizes the importance of assuring continued increases in the quality, number, diversity, and retention of teachers for the state of Georgia.