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Fairfax board approves small Teach for America pilot despite concerns about short training and retention
Summary
The Fairfax County School Board approved a sole-source contract to bring five Teach for America candidates to high-need schools as a pilot. Supporters cited recruitment needs; one board member opposed, citing concerns about a five-week training period and retention in high-need schools.
The Fairfax County School Board voted April 16 to approve a sole-source pilot contract with Teach for America to place five TFA candidates in high-need schools.
Board Member James Dunn moved the contract on the grounds that Fairfax remains short of candidates and the pilot allows the district to interview and select the five candidates it would hire. Superintendent Michelle Reed said the Teach for America candidates receive a five-week summer training and ongoing mentor support from TFA.
"The training for TFA is a five-week summer course and then they're sent to us," Dr. Anderson (a dissenting board member) said during debate, adding that she was concerned about placing less-trained teachers in the district's highest-need schools. She voted against the motion. Supporters responded that TFA candidates receive year-long mentorship and that the division would interview and select candidates.
The motion passed with a single dissent (Dr. Anderson); board members emphasized the pilot is for five candidates and that further expansion would depend on outcomes.
Next steps: the division superintendent or procurement director will execute and administer the contract, and staff will monitor the pilot's outcomes and retention rates.
