Physics Teacher Preparation at the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas implemented changes in its undergraduate physics program beginning in 1994 that dramatically increased the number of students graduating with a physics major from one to two students per year for most of the years from 1990-1998 to 27 graduates in 2012. With the selection of the department as a PhysTEC program in 2001, the number of physics students entering high school teaching also began to dramatically increase. The features that led to the increase in physics graduates were important to increasing the number of teachers graduated, but each feature required refinement to support future teachers. Modifications to a thriving physics program necessary to allow students to enter the teaching profession will be discussed. With the refinements in place, the University of Arkansas has consistently averaged five or more physics teacher graduates per year since 2005 and was proudly awarded membership in the PhysTEC 5$+$ club in 2014.