Nontraditional Recruits to Mathematics and Science Teaching

This paper focuses on nontraditional training programs that train recruits for mathematics and science teaching. These recruits include recent college graduates with degrees in mathematics or science, individuals in science-related fields who are retiring or who want to make a midcareer switch to teaching, and teachers who initially prepared to teach in areas other than mathematics or science. We find that not all programs are equally effective and that the quality and intensity of preparation make a difference in how well prepared recruits feel to teach. Our study also indicates that, for all their promise, nontraditional teacher preparation programs cannot fully overcome other attributes of teaching that make recruitment and retention of teachers difficult.