USG annual teacher preparation update [Feb. 16, 2012]

USG Annual Teacher Preparation Update

While the demand for new teachers has waned somewhat since 2008, Georgia's educational

agencies are in agreement that demand for effective and highly qualified teachers will rise

again. Consequently, the University System of Georgia (USG) remains committed to meeting

80% of the State's need for teachers.

USG Teacher Production

5000

4871 5056 4573

4236

4000 3822

There are 24 USG institutions that work to meet this goal. In 2011, those colleges and universities prepared 5,056 teachers, which is nearly 25% more teachers than in 2007. Five institutions prepared more than half of that total

(see table below).

3000

While most of these teachers are prepared

2000

through traditional baccalaureate degree programs, about 30% seek preparation

through a non-traditional route such as a

1000

certification-only program or a Master's of Arts

in Teaching (MAT).

0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Further, the USG remains committed to diversification of the teaching workforce, and

USG institutions continue to increase the number of non-white teachers prepared. In 2011,

non-white teachers comprised nearly 25% of the total number of teachers. While all USG

institutions are a part of this success, there are several institutions that contribute significantly to

these results (see table below).

USG's five largest producers of teachers

Institution

Production

University of Georgia

746

Kennesaw State University

690

Georgia State University

636

University of West Georgia 424

Valdosta State University Total

407 2903

USG instituions contributing significantly to a more diverse teaching workforce

Institution

2011 non-white % of teachers

Fort Valley State University

100

Albany State University

84

Clayton State University

68

Georgia State University

45

While the USG is committed to preparing effective teachers, it is also committed to preparing teachers for the geographic regions and disciplines that need them most. Thus, the USG strategically approved teacher preparation at five new institutions in the last few years. These institutions have begun producing graduates only recently or will begin to produce teachers shortly and include Macon State College, Middle Georgia College, Georgia Gwinnett College, Savannah State University, and Southern Polytechnic State University.

With respect to teacher production by disciplinary area, trends have been steady for the last few years with approximately one-third of graduates completing early childhood degrees, about one-quarter in middle grades, and 10% in special education.

Major Areas of Teacher Preparation

The "All Others" category includes

students completing degrees to teach in a variety of disciplines including the secondary disciplines and disciplines

All Others 33%

Early Childhood
35%

in which teachers are certified to teach

across all grades (e.g., kindergarten

through twelfth grade) and include

disciplines in foreign languages, art, and music.
In the areas of the STEM disciplines,

Special Education
10%

Middle Grades (4-8)
22%

the USG has made significant

progress with increasing the number of

teachers prepared to teach math and science in middle and high school. To become a high

school teacher at a USG institution, students must seek a BA or BS degree in a discipline (e.g.,

B.S. in Chemistry). In 2011, 185 secondary math and 146 secondary science teachers were

prepared. At the middle school level, all

2011 Secondary STEM Teachers

students must prepare to teach in at least two areas (language arts, social science,

100%

14

90%

21

39 80%

High School Earth/Space, Health, and Physics

math, science, or reading). In 2011, there were approximately 600 middle grades teachers prepared in 1,259 areas of certification including 317 in math and 280 in science. Overall about 47% of all

High School

middle grades certifications were in math

70% 72

Broadfield Science

and/or science.

60%

Since 2007, the USG has increased by

High School

one-third the number of students prepared

50%

Chemistry

to teach in math and science disciplines.

40%

30%

185

20%

10%

0% Secondary STEM

High School Biology
High School Math

The USG continues to build capacity in the area of teacher production and is planning for the future so that it can meet the demands of Georgia's teacher workforce. With careful attention to teacher production and the continuous improvement of academic programs, the USG is committed to preparing teachers who can effectively help students achieve.

February 16, 2012 For more information about teacher preparation, contact angela.coleman@usg.edu