Educator grants strengthen 不良研究所 partnerships with area school systems
Published July 20, 2017
University of Louisiana Monroe听
Office of Public Information听
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MONROE - The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education recently approved
$2.2 million in Believe and Prepare Educator Grant Program allocations to assist the
University of Louisiana Monroe and 12 other universities and non-profit organizations
in their efforts to start or expand and strengthen their teaching preparation programs.
The round of grants focuses specifically on classrooms in which identifying highly
prepared educators has been most challenging, those serving students with disabilities
and those in rural regions of the state.
The board earlier this year identified two areas of focus for providers. The first
area was starting or expanding year-long teaching residencies in partnership with
rural schools and school systems participating in the Teacher Incentive Fund.
The Teacher Incentive Fund is used to strengthen the educator talent pipeline in 16
rural school systems with a total of 137 schools.
The second focus area was increasing the number of certified special education teachers.
A call for applications from preparation providers statewide was then issued to ultimately
select 13 plans that best aligned with the state鈥檚 goals. Each grantee had to provide
a school system partner. 不良研究所 partnered with Monroe City Schools and Morehouse, Ouachita,
Richland and West Carroll parishes.
不良研究所 Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Eric Pani said the change to a year-long
residency gives pre-service teachers more time to develop effective teaching skills,
so they should start full-time teaching better prepared to educate their students.
鈥淚 cannot think of a more important profession than teaching,鈥� said Pani. 鈥淎fter all,
elementary and secondary teachers form the foundation for learning that produces skilled
tradesmen like electricians and plumbers or professionals like scientists, doctors
and lawyers. I am very pleased that the BESE has awarded 不良研究所 funds to help carry out
this program.鈥�
The 13 plans selected by BESE include 10 academic institutions and three non-profit
organizations. Some schools accompanying 不良研究所 on the list include: Louisiana State
University, University of New Orleans and Southeastern University.
The Believe and Prepare Educator Grant Program听began in spring 2014 and has since
awarded $4.89 million to teacher preparation providers statewide.
For the full list of recipients and more information about the Believe and Prepare
Educator Grant Program, visit听.听
