UTeach is the program at The University of Texas at Austin that prepares science and mathematics majors to teach in middle and secondary schools. From a pilot of 28 students in the fall of 1997 it has grown to over 280 students in the spring of 2001. We have found a collection of strategies that have attracted students to secondary teaching in large numbers, and then keep them within the program at rates much higher than the College of Natural Sciences average. Essential ingredients include:
Aggressive recruiting among all students admitted to the College of Natural Sciences.
Early field experiences led by Master Teachers.
Sequence of professional development courses tailored especially to the needs of prospective secondary mathematics and science teachers.
Challenging and rigorous professional development courses.
