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.