SUPPORT FOR TEACH FOR AMERICA

WHEREAS, The educational inequity that persists along socioeconomic lines is our nation’s greatest domestic challenge; and

WHEREAS, the mission of Teach For America is to enlist our nation’s most promising future leaders in the movement toeliminate educational inequity; and

WHEREAS, Teach For America recruits, selects, prepares anddevelops outstanding recent graduates of all majors and careerinterests to commit two years to teach in urban and rural publicschools; and

WHEREAS, through their teaching experience, Teach For AmericaCorps Members gain added commitment to address the problem, and insight about real solutions;

WHEREAS, Teach For America alumni become leaders in education and across all sectors, where they attack the challenges of povertyand build the capacity of school systems; and

WHEREAS, since its inception in 1990, the Teach For America network has grown to include more than 17,000 individuals, including some 5,000 corps members currently teaching in 26urban and rural communities; and

WHEREAS, rigorous research studies conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. and the Urban Institute have demonstrated that Teach For America corps members have a positive impact on student achievement; and

WHEREAS, a significant and growing number of Teach For America alumni hold leadership roles—as lead teachers, principals, nonprofit directors, school board members, and social entrepreneurs—in high-need communities across the country.; and

WHEREAS, Teach For America is in the midst of an aggressive growth plan to maximize the impact of its corps members and alumni; and

WHEREAS, public support of Teach For America is critical to achieving this goals, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges federal, state, and local governments to increase their investment in Teach For America so that it may grow to scale and build a truly effective movement to eliminate educational inequity.