Ask an Expert: Understanding the Decline: Factors Influencing Waning Interest Among Youth in Pursuing Teaching Careers

Time: 9:30-10:30 am EDT

Description: The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) requested support from REL Mid-Atlantic for an Ask the Expert project to gather and synthesize the research on factors contributing to the decreased enrollment of high school students, particularly students of color, in educator preparation programs (EPPs). Specifically, they seek to understand the reasons behind the waning interest among high school students and youth of color in pursuing teaching careers. This inquiry is critical as it addresses a significant challenge faced by the NJDOE: the decline in both the number and diversity of new educators entering the profession across New Jersey schools. This trend is impeding efforts to better match the racial and ethnic composition of teachers with that of the student body across New Jersey schools. To support NJDOE, the project team will synthesize and present high-level findings from the current available research on the factors that contribute to the decreased enrollment of high school students, particularly students of color, in educator preparation programs (EPPs).