Secondary Mathematics and Science Teachers in Texas: Supply, Demand, and Quality

1. Secondary Mathematics and Science Teachers in Texas: Supply, Demand, and Quality Ed Fuller, PhD University Council for Educational Administration Department of Educational Administration The University of Texas at Austin Sponsored by Texas Instruments and TBEC

2. Number of Middle School Teacher FTEs Assigned Out-of-Field (1999-2008) +30% +40%

3. Number of High School Teacher FTEs Assigned Out-of-Field (1999-2008) +65% +30%

4. Percentage of Middle and High School Mathematics and Science Teacher FTEs Assigned Out-of-Field (1999-2008) > 30%

5. Production of Secondary Mathematics Teachers by Route to Certification (1995-2007) NCLB

6. Production of Secondary Science Teachers by Route to Certification (1995-2007) NCLB

7. Production of Secondary Mathematics and Science Teachers by Program Type and Route to Certification

8. First-Time Test Takers on TExES Middle- and High School Math and Science Exams by Program Type

9. Last-Time Test Takers on TExES Middle- and High School Math and Science Exams by Program Type

10. High School Math and Science Passing Rates for First-Time Test-Takers

11. Percentage of High School Math Teacher FTEs Assigned Out-of-Field by Student Poverty

12. Percentage of High School Science Teacher FTEs Assigned Out-of-Field by Student Poverty

13. % of Algebra I Teachers Assigned Out-of-Fieldby 9th Grade TAKS Math Performance (2008) All High Schools High-Poverty High Schools

14. Measures of High School Math Teacher Quality for Low- and High-Performing Schools (2003 and 2007)

15. Measures of High School Science Teacher Quality for Low- and High-Performing Schools (2003 and 2007)

16. Three-Year Attrition Rates for Secondary Math & Science Teachers by Program Type and Route

17. Costs of Differential Turnover Rates • If all other programs and routes had the same retention rate as traditional preparation programs, school districts would save: • Between $3,500,000 and $7,000,000 per year on math teachers • Between $2,700,000 and $5,400,000 per year on science teachers • This is enough to fund mentoring and induction for every beginning math & science teacher

18. Projections of Supply and Demand for Secondary* Mathematics Teachers 5,200 * Secondary includes grades 7 through 12

19. Projections of Supply and Demand for Secondary* Science Teachers 6,100 * Secondary includes grades 7 through 12

20. Relatively Low Pay for Teachers Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2000 and 2007); PEIMS 2000 and 2007 Analysis: Dr. Ed Fuller, The University of Texas at Austin

21. Policy Recommendations Require all preparation programs to provide at least 80 clock hours of pre-service training before teacher can start teaching. Provide funding for a statewide teacher mentoring and induction program for secondary STEM teachers, especially in hard-to-staff schools. Create monetary incentives for traditional and post-baccalaureate university-based programs to produce STEM teachers. Provide a statewide stipend for secondary STEM teachers teaching in high-needs schools.

22. Policy Recommendations Fund a statewide, systemic professional development program that provides help to under-qualified teachers. Provide service scholarships (like the North Carolina Teaching Fellows) that subsidize teacher preparation for individuals who will enter secondary mathematics and science teaching and pledge to stay for at least fours years. Provide money to pilot urban school teacher academies )separate from STEM academies) where aspiring STEM teachers learn their craft under master teachers.

23. Policy Recommendations Develop a well-funded, thoughtful, and systemic plan to address the shortage and quality of STEM teachers that addresses preparation, retention, distribution, and professional development. Fund and plan a high-quality evaluation of these efforts.

24. For comments or questions, please contact Ed Fuller at: edfuller@mail.utexas.edu or Carol Fletcher at: carol.fletcher@austin.utexas.edu