Addressing the Shortage of Male Teachers in the Classroom,  Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Hosts Male Institute At Prairie View A&M University

New York, NY (June 22, 2012) – The racial achievement gap has received a great deal of attention over the years, however there has been a lack of attention on gender achievement gaps. According to recent national studies, female students are outperforming their male counterparts starting as early as elementary school and continuing through college. Some studies are pointing the finger at the lack of male teachers in the classroom. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 18% of all elementary and middle school teachers are male. TMCF)recognizes the need for positive male role models in urban underprivileged communities, and hopes to address this issue -- starting in the classroom. 

TMCF has partnered with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to increase the number of National Board Certified black male teachers. As part of the Teacher Quality and Retention Program (TQRP), TMCF will host a one-week male institute sponsored by Wells Fargo at its member-school, Prairie View A & M University in Texas, June 24 – 30, 2012.  In Texas, there are more than 333,090 public school teachers, and less than 1% are black men. Together TMCF, Wells Fargo and NBPTS hope to address both the racial and gender gap amongst teachers across the country. 

Since 2008, TMCF has provided recruitment, career development, leadership training and mentoring to over 150 aspiring and new teachers from public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The TQRP approach is unique in that it provides financial resources, training and mentoring to new teachers from pre-service through the critical first three years of teaching. “TQRP is one of our signature programs. The historic tradition of HBCUs in producing teachers, and TMCF’s experience in school reform, is an ideal platform for the delivery of this expanded effort to directly impact teacher quality and retention.” said TMCF’s President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.  “Currently 36% of TQRP new teachers are males and 24% are teaching either science or math, both trends that significantly outpace the national trends. Through this program, we are addressing the need for both African-American males and science and mathematics teachers to serve in high need urban and rural areas.”

WHAT: TMCF Teacher Quality and Retention Program – Male Institute

WHERE: Prairie View A&M University

WHEN: June 24 – 30, 2012

ABOUT NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS (NBPTS) 

NBPTS is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental organization. It was formed in 1987 to advance the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teaching, creating a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet those standards and integrating certified teachers into educational reform. 

ABOUT THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African-American Justice. Established in 1987, TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending its 47 member-schools that include public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), medical schools and law schools. TMCF helps students with a clear intention and the motivation to succeed and acquire a high-quality college education at an affordable cost. TMCF also efficiently connects high performing, world-ready students with top tier employment opportunities—access that students or employers might not have on their own. Through its scholarships and programs, TMCF plays a key role in preparing the leaders of tomorrow.

  For more information about TMCF and its initiatives, visit: www.ThurgoodMarshallCollegeFund.org.