 | |
| Founded | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Wendy Kopp |
| Type | 501(c)(3) Public Charity |
| Focus | Educational Equity, Teacher Training, Policy Research |
| Location | |
Key people | Dr. Tequilla Brownie, Chief Executive Officer |
| Employees | 600+ |
| Website | tntp.org |
TNTP, formerly known as The New Teacher Project, is an American nonprofit organization that operates in the public education sector. It provides consulting services to school districts, conducts policy research, and manages teacher training programs. Its stated mission is to partner with school systems to ensure equal access to effective teachers and high-quality instruction.[1]
TNTP was established in 1997 by Wendy Kopp as a spin-off of Teach For America (TFA) to address teacher hiring and retention in urban school districts.[2]
History
TNTP was founded in 1997 to help urban school districts improve their teacher recruitment and hiring processes. In 2000, the organization launched the "Teaching Fellows" program, an alternative certification route designed to recruit professionals and recent graduates into teaching roles in high-need subject areas.[3]
Over time, TNTP expanded its scope beyond recruitment to include teacher evaluation, retention, and school culture. It began publishing research reports that advocated for specific policy reforms regarding teacher tenure, evaluation metrics, and compensation.[4]
In recent years, the organization has shifted its focus toward instructional quality and "learning acceleration," publishing research on student engagement and access to grade-level content.[5]
Organization
TNTP is a revenue-generating nonprofit. A significant portion of its operating budget comes from fee-for-service contracts with states and school districts. It also receives philanthropic support for research and new program development from donors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.[6]
Research and publications
TNTP is known for publishing reports that analyze public education data and advocate for specific policy changes.
The Widget Effect (2009)
In 2009, TNTP published The Widget Effect: Our National Failure to Acknowledge and Act Upon Teacher Effectiveness. The report analyzed teacher evaluation data from 12 districts, finding that less than 1% of teachers received unsatisfactory ratings, regardless of student outcomes. The report argued that existing evaluation systems treated teachers as interchangeable units ("widgets") rather than professionals with varying levels of effectiveness.[7]
The report influenced Race to the Top policies and teacher evaluation reforms in several states. However, it also faced criticism regarding its methodology. A review by the National Education Policy Center (NEPC) noted that while the report raised important questions, its sampling strategy and generalizability were unclear.[8]
The Irreplaceables (2012)
Published in 2012, The Irreplaceables focused on teacher retention. The study argued that urban districts were failing to retain high-performing teachers while retaining low-performing ones. It proposed that principals should prioritize the retention of top teachers through improved working conditions and differentiated compensation.[9]
The Opportunity Myth (2018)
This report analyzed student experiences in five diverse school systems. It found that while students were often meeting the requirements of their assignments, they were not mastering grade-level standards because the assignments themselves were below grade level. The report introduced the concept of an "opportunity gap" in access to rigorous coursework.[10]
Unlocking Algebra (2025)
In 2025, TNTP released Unlocking Algebra: What the Data Tells us About Helping Students Catch Up. The report examined math performance data from approximately 2,000 students between 2021 and 2024. It identified specific "predecessor skills" from earlier grades that strongly correlated with success in Algebra 1, advocating for targeted just-in-time support rather than broad remediation.[5]
Teacher preparation programs
TNTP operates state-approved teacher certification programs, often under the "Teaching Fellows" brand. These programs typically involve an intensive summer training institute followed by a full-time teaching position with ongoing coaching.
Evaluations of TNTP's programs have yielded mixed but generally positive results compared to other alternative certification routes.
- A 2008 data analysis in Louisiana indicated that TNTP-trained teachers outperformed other beginning teachers in math and reading.[11]
- A 2010 study by Louisiana State University researchers found that the TNTP Practitioner Program was one of the few programs in the state with results consistent with experienced certified teachers.[12]
Controversy
TNTP's policy positions, particularly regarding teacher tenure and evaluation, have drawn criticism from teachers' unions and some educational researchers.
In 2009, following the release of The Widget Effect, the Toledo Federation of Teachers disputed the data regarding teacher dismissals in Toledo, Ohio. TNTP subsequently reviewed the data and issued a correction regarding the specific dismissal figures for Toledo Public Schools.[13]
Critics from the National Education Policy Center have argued that some of TNTP's recommendations lack "scholarly evidence" and rely on "conventional wisdom" rather than rigorous peer-reviewed research.[14]
See also
References
- ^ "About". TNTP. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ^ TNTP. "The New Teacher Project: Who We Are". Archived from the original on 2001-08-08.
- ^ Our History, TNTP, tntp.org. Accessed 2012-7-29.
- ^ Philanthropy Roundtable, Achieving Teacher and Principal Excellence: A Guidebook for Donors, philanthropyroundtable.org, 2008. Accessed 2012-7-29.
- ^ a b Schwartz, Sarah (May 13, 2025). "A Subset of Math Skills Predicts Algebra 1 Success. What Are They?". Education Week. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ Our Funding Model, TNTP, tntp.org. Accessed 2012-7-29.
- ^ "The Widget Effect". TNTP. 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ Pecheone, Raymond L.; Welner, Kevin (August 5, 2009). "'Widget Effect' Report Draws Praise". National Education Policy Center. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
- ^ "The Irreplaceables: Understanding The Real Retention Crisis in America's Urban Schools | TNTP". tntp.org. 2012-07-30. Archived from the original on 2014-06-29. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- ^ "The Opportunity Myth". TNTP. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ^ Honawar, Vaishali (December 8, 2008). "New Teacher Project Scores High in Louisiana Study". Teacher Beat. Education Week. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ Gansle, Kristin A., Noell, George H., Knox, R. Maria, Schafer, Michael J., Value Added Assessment of Teacher Preparation in Louisiana: 2005-2006 to 2008-2009 Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine, August 24, 2010.
- ^ Daly, Timothy (February 8, 2010), Reconciliation of TPS teacher dismissal data (PDF)
- ^ Milner, H. Richard; Mathis, William (November 16, 2010). "Teacher Evaluation 2.0 – An Upgrade That Isn't". National Education Policy Center. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
External links
- Official website
- TNTP Teaching Fellows
