NAUTeach Program Implementation 2008 - 2013

1. NAUTeach Program Implementation 2008 - 2013 • Undergraduate Science and Mathematics Teacher Preparation at Northern Arizona University • Since the mid 2000's there have been various reports and proposals to increase the number and quality of K-12 STEM teachers. Both President Bush and Obama have proposed a goal of ensuring the recruitment, preparation and induction support of at least 100,000 new STEM teachers over the next decade. NAUTeach addresses the need for highly qualified STEM educators who are effective in improving student learning and increasing science and mathematical literacy, which leads to greater interest in STEM-based career choices for our future workforce. This poster presents recruitment and retention information on the NAUTeach Program by examining enrollment patterns as well as employment patterns. Key findings from this data are used to improve recruitment for students in the program as well as program management. • Enrollment by Semester • Student Teaching and Employment Placements • Program Identity • NAUTeach is administered through NAU’s Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL) in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Both of these departments areadministratively housed within the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS). NAUTeachfaculty and staff includetwo co-directors, six mathematics and science faculty,five “master teachers” / clinical professorsandprogram support staff.NAUTeachhas an establishedprogram name, logo, andwebsite; is actively promoted through marketing materials, press releases, special announcements, and ceremonies that honor students; is the only undergraduate program at the university that recommends STEM majors for secondary certification; has been featured in articles in university publications and local media; and has established a freshman Learning Community anda student organization, WeTeach@NAU. • NAUTeach Students: Where AreThey From? • Number of NAU students enrolled in TSMcourses from Fall 2008 through Fall 2013. Enrollment has remained fairly stable for the past 3 years. Northern Arizona public schools mentor a clear majority of NAUTeach student teachers. The majority of teaching jobs, however, are in the Phoenix Metropolitan area, where 59% of our graduates get their first teaching jobs. • Graduates: Mathematicsand Science • The majority of our students come from the Greater Phoenix Metropolitanarea. California and areas in Northern Arizona, including the Navajo, Hopi and Apache reservations make up about 15% of our student population. The number of NAUTeach graduates are higher in the spring semester than in the fall semester. Prior to 2011, NAU graduated an average of 15 undergraduate mathematics and science teachers per academic year. We have more than doubled the number of graduates through the NAUTeach program! Ethnic diversity ofNAUTeach students is Very similar to the ethnic diversity of CEFNS • NAUTeach.nau.edu