Overview
A new initiative from Superintendent Horne for 2008 is the development and
implementation of an Adjunct Teacher Initiative to ensure that every student has
a qualified math or science teacher. While the goal of having qualified teachers
in math and science has existed for several years, recent state employment
projections and state mandates have intensified the importance of this process
and its outcomes. Arizona has a shortage of qualified math and science teachers,
and projections are that shortage in some areas is going to worsen. In addition,
the State Board of Education has increased math and science requirements so that
freshmen entering in 2009 will need four years of math and three years of
science. This provides us with a two-fold challenge. We need additional math and
science teachers each year just to keep up with current attrition rates in those
content areas. Secondly, we will need additional math and science teachers to
address the new State Board graduation requirements.
To provide schools and districts with a comprehensive framework based on
current research and best practices, the Arizona Department of Education in
conjunction with businesses, universities, non-profit foundations, and educators
across the state, developed the Adjunct Teacher Framework. This framework can be
individualized and used by districts to increase the pool of qualified teachers
in high-need content areas of math and science. For example, the framework can
be used to guide the development of teaching-learning partnerships between
schools and businesses. It can also be used by these partnerships to provide
qualified math and science professionals who will support and strengthen
instruction in math and science, thereby improving student performance and
meeting graduation requirements.
Resources
Contact Information
Academic Achievement Division
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street, Bin 45
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Associate Superintendent for Academic Achievement: Dr. Karen
Butterfield
Tel: (602) 364-1957
Fax: (602) 542-5440
Karen.Butterfield@azed.gov
Deputy Associate Superintendent of Highly Qualified Professionals: Jan Amator
Tel: (602) 364-2294
Fax: (602) 542-3050
Jan.Amator@azed.gov
