https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-top-ten-reasons-not-to-contract-with-teach-for-america/2013/10
Lately, I have been reading numbers of articles about Teach For America (TFA) written by former participants in the program as well as by researchers and investigative reporters. It appears that there is general consensus that TFA is not the answer to teacher shortages, closing achievement gaps, or eliminating poverty in this country. Most of the writers agree that the program is using public schools and poor children to develop a network of new leaders who will advance a corporate reform agenda. Great harm has been done in school districts and states where these new TFA leaders have emerged. Who bears the greatest portion of responsibility for what is happening?
TFA's five or seven-week training is inadequate, to say the least. Teaching isn't a soft skill that anyone can do with a few weeks of prep. TFA requires a commitment of only a few years. Many of its members leave the classroom immediately after. Students in low-income schools already face instability. Teacher turnover isn't cool.
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