1 Teachers College Record Volume 121, 020301, February 2019, 36 pages Copyright © by Teachers College, Columbia University 0161-4681 Examining the Recruitment, Placement, and Career Trajectories of Secondary Mathematics Teachers Prepared for High- Need Schools WILLIAM ZAHNER San Diego State University SUZANNE CHAPIN Boston University RICH LEVINE San Diego State University LINGJUN A. HE San Diego State University ROBERT AFONSO Boston University Background: School leaders are challenged by the relatively limited supply and high turnover of qualified secondary school mathematics teachers. In response, policy makers and teacher educators have developed various pathways and incentives to recruit, train, place, and sup- port highly qualified mathematics teachers to work in hard-to-staff schools. Focus of Study: In this study, we investigate the recruitment, placement, and early career trajectories of 158 Grades 6–12 mathematics teachers from two preparation programs focused on staffing “high-need” schools in the same region. Setting: The contrasting programs were both supported by the same university in the Northeast United States.