Teach for America: The Story of Misinformation
by P.L. Thomas
What do the following have in common?
• Three high-quality teachers in a row can increase student achievement and even life-long earning. [1]
• Teachers are the single-most important factor in student learning. [2]
• U.S. students sit in the middle of the pack in international rankings of standardized test scores. [3]
• On average, Teach for America (TFA) corps members stay in the classroom for eight years.
• Santa Claus. [4]
The answer: All of the above are widely believed, based in some kernel of evidence, but on the whole are greatly distorted or misleading.
But once an idea that seems true enters the public consciousness, it is nearly impossible to discredit. And
