The elementary education major saw an 18 percent increase in enrollment this semester, with 155 new freshmen enrolled, according to the office of undergraduate admissions.
Laura Glass, associate director of the School of Education, said the increase this semester has helped restore the program’s success to previous levels.
“The numbers are back up to what we like them to be,” Glass said.
The university has adopted new strategies for encouraging prospective elementary education majors to attend the university, she said. The largest effort was a telephone campaign last summer by students and faculty, Glass said, in which over 400 calls were made to freshmen admitted into the program encouraging them to accept.
She said the education program has also been expanded to make it more attractive to students. Previously, students could become certified in elementary school education with a concentration in mathematics, science, social studies, English or special education. Now, students have the option of concentrating in urban education, Glass said.
“Urban schools and urban landscapes always have a need for good teachers,” she said.
Glass said other in-demand areas are special education and middle school math and science.
“Students who pursue those areas are very marketable and will have no problem getting a job when they graduate,” she said.
Glass said she hopes these efforts will also increase the minority representation in the elementary education program.
“The percentage of diverse candidates is actually lower than the UD population,” she said.
Melva Ware, the director of ASPIRE, a student support organization for education majors, is working to increase the number of underrepresented groups. She said this includes not only minority students, but also male students. The focus is on low-income and first generation college students, she said.
“In 1991, there were virtually no minority students studying elementary education,” Ware said.
Now, she said, 10 percent of students in the major come from underrepresented groups.
Ware said she sees potential in attracting students through the summer internship program, in which high school juniors and seniors work as teaching assistants in their fields of interest. She said this internship, along with other efforts, have likely been effective.
“Some of our more personalized approaches to develop relationships with prospective students are yielding results,” Ware said.
She said the university tries to help students find teaching jobs by hosting career fairs and Teaching in Delaware Day. Many students are offered jobs that day, she said.
Glass said elementary education is an attractive major because students can make a difference in children’s lives. They are not in it for the money, she said.
“Students who choose an education major love kids,” Glass said.
Senior Colleen Singleton is an elementary education major with a minor in disability studies. She said she got into teaching because she loves being around children.
“There’s a growing need for teachers,” Singleton said. “A lot of people are realizing it’s a really nice career path.”
Ware said the future of teaching looks promising.
“Baby boomers are getting ready to retire,” she said. “It’s time for the next generation to step in. The demand is high for very qualified teachers.”
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