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For Immediate Release
March 28, 2013

FAIRBANKS--The University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� recently presented the �Ӱ�ԭ�� Legislature with a report highlighting the university’s efforts to help �Ӱ�ԭ��’s public schools attract, train and retain qualified teachers.The report titled is part of the University of �Ӱ�ԭ��’s commitment to engage �Ӱ�ԭ��ns in a conversation about the challenges and the progress being made in �Ӱ�ԭ��’s schools.

The report, prepared by the Center for �Ӱ�ԭ�� Education Policy Research (CAEPR) in conjunction with the University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Deans of Education, shows:

• High teacher turnover continues to exist in rural �Ӱ�ԭ��n communities, but there is clear evidence that teacher mentoring reduces turnover. (page 9)
• New findings revealing why many University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� teacher education graduates are not teaching immediately after graduation. (page 21)
• Positive gains in graduating more special education teachers and counselors. (page 18)
• Overall, the university is graduating more teachers today than it has in the last six years. (page 16)

A number of �Ӱ�ԭ�� teacher education trends mirror national trends. There are more certified teachers in the nation than there are positions available, but there are still shortages for teachers in certain areas and geographic locations (high school math, high school physical science and special education), as well as lack of comparable wages with other states and more difficult working conditions.

The university is partnering with �Ӱ�ԭ��’s schools to meet these challenges, focusing on equalizing conditions across districts, and attracting teachers to schools where their skills are most needed.

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For additional information on the report and initiatives taking place at each campus, visit the links below.

“ �Ӱ�ԭ��’s University for �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Schools 2013”: http://www.alaska.edu/files/shapingalaskasfuture/SB2412012-2013-.pdf 

University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Fairbanks

• School of Education:
• �Ӱ�ԭ�� post-baccalaureate programs to students in rural communities:  
• �Ӱ�ԭ�� Native Education Equity Grant Information:

University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Anchorage

• UAA College of Education:  
• UAA Office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE):
• UAA Providence Early Learning Lab:
• UAA Center for �Ӱ�ԭ�� Education Policy Research (CAEPR):
• CAEPR 2013 Projects:

University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Southeast

• University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Southeast Village Teacher program:
• Preparing Indigenous Teachers and Administrators for �Ӱ�ԭ�� Schools (PITAAS):

University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Statewide

• �Ӱ�ԭ�� Teacher Placement program:
• UA Office of K - 12 :
• Complete article in The Statewide Voice:
• Growing Our Own Educators:

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