Resources: Teach for America (think-tanks and the media)

Along with charter schools, the education reform debate includes a great deal of claims against teacher quality, one of which includes a growing fascination with Teach for America (TfA). Many elements in the education debate are being clouded by think-tanks and private organization public relations (see Molnar, 2001; Welner, et al., 2010; Yettick, 2009); therefore, policy makers and the public should consider carefully claims while looking for quality scholarly studies. Here are recommended resources concerning TfA:


Deepening the Debate over Teach For America: Responses to Heather Harding

Tough Questions for Teach For America: Heather Harding Responds


A Letter to the Seattle WA School Board


Hyper-accountability, Burnout and Blame: A TFA Corps Member Speaks Out


Phil Kovacs Responds to the Latest Research on Teach For America


Jack Hassard Reports: Cobb County, Georgia, Rejects Teach For America


'Teach for America' overstates its classroom success


Reconsidering TFA (blog)


Teach for America - A Hidden Curriculum?


Teach for America: The Hidden Curriculum of Liberal Do-Gooders


Teach for America: Liberal mission helps conservative agenda


Philip Kovacs: Research Suggests Teach For America Does Not Belong in Huntsville


Philip Kovacs: Teach For America Research Fails the Test


Philip Kovacs: Huntsville Takes a Closer Look at Teach For America's "Research"


Philip Kovacs Takes on TFA in Huntsville


The Dialogue Heats Up over Teach For America


Petition to Change/Reform TfA


Teach For America: A False Promise


Teach For America: A Review of the Evidence


Ravitch: The Problem with Teach For America


Richard Cohen's Teach for America Column Deserves a Failing Grade


Resources for think-tanks and the media:


Think Tank Research Quality: Lessons for Policy Makers, the Media, and the Public
Edited by:
Kevin G. Welner, University of Colorado - Boulder
Patricia H. Hinchey, Pennsylvania State University
Alex Molnar, Arizona State University
Don Weitzman, Independent Researcher

Molnar, A. (2001, April 11). The media and educational research: What we know vs. what the public hears. Milwaukee, WI: Center for Education Research, Analysis, and Innovation. Retrieved 18 July 2009 from http://epsl.asu.edu/epru/documents/cerai-01-14.htm

Yettick, H. (2009). The research that reaches the public: Who produces the educational research mentioned in the news media? Boulder and Tempe: Education and the Public Interest Center & Education Policy Research Unit. Retrieved 5 August 2009 from http://epicpolicy.org/publication/research-that-reaches