News

Teacher-recruit program cuts worry education observers

November 23, 2009

A small organization housed on Winthrop University's campus is responsible for sending thousands of South Carolinians into the teaching profession.

Through a bevy of programs intended to spark interest in the field among teenagers and to support working teachers, the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement focuses on creating and keeping a "home-grown" teaching force.

But amid the recession in which state tax revenue has dropped sharply, CERRA has been hard hit. Supporters worry that continuing budget cuts are hampering the center's ability to support educators and to get new, qualified teachers to places they're needed.

Since 2007, CERRA's budget, funded entirely by the state, has been cut by about 25 percent, to $4 million from $5.4 million. In scaling back, the organization has suspended one program, sent employees on unpaid leave and trimmed the number of students who get college scholarships to pursue education careers.

"It's becoming more challenging to do the same thing we've always done," spokesman Mychal Frost said.

CERRA was created in 1985 to recruit bright teens in South Carolina high schools, creating a pipeline of aspiring educators to help avert a looming teacher shortage. With a staff of 14, the organization operates as its own entity and has since become a go-to for all things related to the education profession.

In addition to its programs, CERRA leads training efforts, holds statewide educator conferences and a job fair. It has created an online job bank for educators and streamlined the application process to teach in South Carolina.

"It's become that catalyst to keep the state focused on what are the problems and challenges of the teaching profession," S.C. Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said.

"It's a lean, mean operation," said Jennie Rakestraw, dean of Winthrop's education school. "They're a huge factor in keeping good teachers in the job."

The CERRA programs most affected by state funding cuts are:

- Teaching fellows: Launched in 1999, the program offers promising high school seniors up to $6,000 a year for college. In exchange, students pursue an education degree and agree to teach in the state one year for each year of the fellowship. CERRA normally aims to add 175 freshman teaching fellows a year. That's been cut back this year to 44.

- Teacher cadets: CERRA's flagship program, which started in 1986 in four schools, has become a national model for turning high school students into aspiring teachers.

High school juniors and seniors invited to enroll in the elective teacher cadet course learn the fundamentals of teaching, then intern in schools, where they create and teach lessons to students. For a fee, they also can get credit at a partner college, where they visit to meet faculty, tour and sit in on classes.

This year, for the first time, teachers who teach the cadet course no longer get extra money for supplies.

- Teachers in residence: CERRA used to have six resident teachers, who took part-time leave from their schools and were stationed around the state as "ambassadors" for education. CERRA suspended most of the program, cutting back to one teacher in residence.