Researching Appalachia: Teach For America

My exploratory research paper discussed education in Appalachia, and the expansion of Teach For America to the region. Some interesting facts I learned are according to Appalachian Higher Network 23.2% of people do not have a high school diploma and the average salary for those without a high school diploma is $21,332. The below basic reading achievement levels have decreased by almost 10 percentage points from 4^th to 12^th grade. One program that has come to do something about theses statistics is Teach For America. 

            Twenty years ago Wendy Kopp, a Princeton University graduate, founded a national non-profit based off her senior thesis, called Teach For America. The organization recruits extremely motivated leaders to teach in urban and rural schools across the country in hopes that one day all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education. Two years ago Teach For America began its Appalachian Region, and has started placing corps members in Kentucky schools. Over the next year or two they also plan on placing corps members in West Virginia. My paper discusses what Teach For America is, how they choose corps members, and their teaching philosophy.