New Mexico needs approximately 1,400 new teachers per years due to retirements, transition to other school positions/occupations, and movement of state. Seventy-five positions in math and science education were filled with teachers on state approved waivers (teaching out of field). The New Mexico legislature has instituted laws encouraging universities to develop and implement alternative licensure programs. To date, only 2 institutions offer alternative programs; one college of education expects 10 "graduates" from the program at the completion of the first cycle in May, 2001.

During the 1999 CETP summer institute, master and novice teachers expressed concerns about the deficit in teachers populations across the state. In discussions, teachers proposed several general strategies to encourage individuals to become teachers. Teachers requested a follow-up meeting to design an initiative that included: 1) identification of target populations, methods to deliver a message to prospective teachers, and techniques to assess the impact of the recruitment efforts. Teachers met in March 2000 and outlined a comprehensive teacher recruitment program that served as the agenda for the CETP Summer Institute in 2000.

In June 2000 32 master, novice, and preservice teachers met to develop materials that would be used in the recruitment effort. With the assistance of university faculty from The Department of Mass Communications, teachers were schooled in writing for media. Teachers subdivided into groups specializing in printed materials (press releases and brochures for distribution to newspapers), a public service announcement for television, and four 30-second radio spots. After 3 days, teachers completed most production work. The ENMU campus coordinator distributed finished copies of press kits and audio/video tapes to all New Mexico CETP participants at its annual conference. Campuses are responsible for distribution to local newspapers and media markets.

Assessment of the efforts are three-prong: 1) students entering EDF 222 - Observations in Teaching will be complete a brief survey regarding reasons for enter teacher education; 2) alternative licensure candidates will report whether they have seen CETP recruitment materials and will assess the materials' recruitment value; and 3) teacher participants in the CETP Summer Institute in 2001 along with other educators in the eastern region of the state will provide feedback on the recruitment program after its first year of implementation.