News-Record.com

The Observer defends Charlotte-Meck Schools' decision to replace some teachers with Teach for America cadets, citing this 2008 study by the Urban Institute:

"Despite Little Experience, Teach for America Educators Outpace Veterans in Drawing Achievement from Students"

The results were drawn from North Carolina high school data. A key statement from the summary:

"Teach for America recruits and selects high-achieving college graduates, many of whom have no prior experience or coursework in education, and places them in needy schools after short but intensive training. (Researchers) Xu, Hannaway, and Taylor found that TFA corps members serving in North Carolina tended to have graduated from more selective colleges and universities and to have scored higher on the Praxis, a teacher-licensing exam."

TFA has had a strong relationship with CMS, including this $4 million gift to TFA from the Charlotte-based C.D. Spangler Foundation to bring more TFA teachers to the system.

"The new teachers will start next school year and will serve in high-poverty schools in CMS that traditionally have struggled to recruit and retain top teachers," TFA said then. "Teach For America corps members graduate from many of the nation's most prestigious universities with an average GPA of 3.6 (out of 4.0) and an average SAT score of 1321.

"Highly selective, Teach For America also provides rigorous training and ongoing support for corps members, who often serve as leaders within their schools and local communities."

Impressive.

Superintendent Peter Gorman said next year's TFA recruits will replace teachers whose work has been "below standard."

CM Association of Educators President Mary McCray said the move was insulting to teachers.