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Do Grow-Your-Own Programs Work? Evidence from the Teacher Academy of Maryland

Author

Listed:
  • Blazar, David

    (University of Maryland)

  • Gao, Wenjing

    (University of Maryland at College Park)

  • Gershenson, Seth

    (American University)

  • Goings, Ramon

    (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)

  • Lagos, Francisco

    (University of Maryland at College Park)

Abstract

Local teacher recruitment through "grow-your-own" programs is a prominent strategy to address workforce shortages and ensure that incoming teachers resemble, understand, and have strong connections to their communities. We exploit the staggered rollout of the Teacher Academy of Maryland career and technical education certificate program across public high schools, finding that exposed students were more likely to become teachers by 0.6 percentage points (pp), or 47%. Effects are concentrated among White girls (1.4pp/39%) and Black girls (0.7pp/80%). We also identify positive impacts on wages (5% on average/18% for Black girls), countering a prevailing narrative that teaching leaves one worse off financially relative to other labor market opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Blazar, David & Gao, Wenjing & Gershenson, Seth & Goings, Ramon & Lagos, Francisco, 2024. "Do Grow-Your-Own Programs Work? Evidence from the Teacher Academy of Maryland," IZA Discussion Papers 16983, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16983
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    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education

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