Research on teacher preparation identifies the recruitment, preparation, induction, and retention of teachers as challenges in providing high-quality instruction for English learners (ELs). Compounding these challenges are the varied educational and geographical landscape that teachers of ELs work in, which necessitates attracting teacher candidates with specialized pedagogical and linguistic skill sets. As of 2018, the Learning Policy Institute reported that 10 states had Grow Your Own programs, with more states exploring the development of such programs.
In Part II of this podcast, Jessica Swan, an Education Program Specialist at OELA and Dr. Anjali Pandey, the principal investigator of the National Professional Development Grant: TARGET Training and Retraining Grades Kâ12 Eastern Shore Teachers continue their discussion of the TARGET program, outlining challenges, successes, lessons learned, and next steps for those interested in developing their own teacher preparation program.