Attracting PhDs to K-12 Education

The National Research Council (NRC) has undertaken a three-phase project to explore the possibility of a program to attract science, mathematics and engineering PhDs to careers in K-12 education. The first phase of the project surveyed the interests of recent PhDs in science and mathematics in pursuing careers in secondary education. Analysis of the Phase I data suggests that a significant percentage of PhDs might be interested in pursuing careers in secondary education under some circumstances. This report from the second phase of the project presents a proposal for a national demonstration program to determine how one might prepare PhDs to be productive members of the K-12 education community. The proposed program is designed to help meet the needs of the nation's schools, while providing further career opportunities for recent PhDs in science, mathematics and engineering. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 The Challenges of Education 3 From Grad School to Grade School 4 Proposed Demonstration Program References Appendix A Executive Summary: Attracting Science and Mathematics PhDs to Secondary School Education Appendix B Agenda and Participants: Workshop on Attracting PhDs in Science and Mathematics to Careers in K-12 Education Appendix C Nontraditional K-12 Teacher Preparation Programs Appendix D Programs to Strenghten Connections Between Professions and K-12 Education Appendix E Gallup Teacher Perceiver Instrument Appendix F National Residency Matching Program Appendix G Biographical Information on Committee Members