Eliminate 'education inequality'
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: Opinion
Since the beginning of the year, UA students have experienced a call to public service both nationally (in January, Obama petitioned Americans to focus on giving back) and locally (last week, former President George H.W. Bush appealed to UA students to get involved in public service through university programs like the Volunteer Action Center).
With so many service opportunities available and in need of student volunteers, the call to action can be overwhelming. A student's time is precious, and it's often easier to worry about graduating on time, getting into a favored graduate school or landing a good job (or one at all) than to consider public service.
But one program for university students appears to rank high above the rest when it comes to experience and achievements, both personal and public, and its positive influence has reached almost 3 million students nationwide since its inception 19 years ago.
Teach for America, which has risen in popularity and prestige over the past few years, is a nonprofit program aimed to bolster academic opportunities and achievement in low-income areas of the country.
According to the TFA Web site, around 6,200 corps members are currently teaching in 29 urban and rural areas, and 162 teachers are stationed in the Mississippi Delta region, which includes the eastern portion of Arkansas.
Those who are accepted to the program sign on for two years of service - many graduate and law schools partner with the organization, allowing students to defer enrollment until their time with TFA is over - and receive a modest, but decent, salary for their work.
Studies have shown that TFA participants leave lasting effects on their schools, and simply participating in the program has proved to be an enormous resume booster for former corps members.
The UA contains hundreds of the kind of students TFA desires, students who could make a serious impact in eliminating education inequality across America, students who have demonstrated achievement and leadership ability, who shine in spite of struggle, and who are able to think critically and solve problems.
Considering Obama's and Bush's pleas for public service, TFA is worth considering. We hope that, with the help of qualified UA students, the program continues to build upon the success it's experienced over the past few years.
With so many service opportunities available and in need of student volunteers, the call to action can be overwhelming. A student's time is precious, and it's often easier to worry about graduating on time, getting into a favored graduate school or landing a good job (or one at all) than to consider public service.
But one program for university students appears to rank high above the rest when it comes to experience and achievements, both personal and public, and its positive influence has reached almost 3 million students nationwide since its inception 19 years ago.
Teach for America, which has risen in popularity and prestige over the past few years, is a nonprofit program aimed to bolster academic opportunities and achievement in low-income areas of the country.
According to the TFA Web site, around 6,200 corps members are currently teaching in 29 urban and rural areas, and 162 teachers are stationed in the Mississippi Delta region, which includes the eastern portion of Arkansas.
Those who are accepted to the program sign on for two years of service - many graduate and law schools partner with the organization, allowing students to defer enrollment until their time with TFA is over - and receive a modest, but decent, salary for their work.
Studies have shown that TFA participants leave lasting effects on their schools, and simply participating in the program has proved to be an enormous resume booster for former corps members.
The UA contains hundreds of the kind of students TFA desires, students who could make a serious impact in eliminating education inequality across America, students who have demonstrated achievement and leadership ability, who shine in spite of struggle, and who are able to think critically and solve problems.
Considering Obama's and Bush's pleas for public service, TFA is worth considering. We hope that, with the help of qualified UA students, the program continues to build upon the success it's experienced over the past few years.
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