In 2007 Public Agenda surveyed 865 first-year teachers in high-needs schools, some of whom had graduated from traditional teaching programs, others who enteredthe profession through Teach for America, the New Teacher Project, and Troops to Teachers.
The 54-year-old former teacherentered Parliament in Labour's 1997 landslide in a previously Conservative seat and held a string of junior ministerial positions before becoming care services minister.