Chico State has been selected to receive a grant of $7.3 million in order to improve the academics in four North State school districts, according to a university press release.
“We were extremely well rated by the agency that gives out the grants,” said Joe Wills, director of public affairs and publications for Chico State.
Chico State’s proposal focused on strong collaboration with eligible partner school districts and a clear emphasis on meeting the needs of rural schools, said Maggie Payne, associate dean of the college of communication and education.
The university plans to do this through teacher recruitment and preparation to improve student achievement, she said.
The Department of Education issued the $43 million grant to 28 schools including four other California State University schools.
The goal of the grant is to help the school districts attract potential educators from a wide range of professional backgrounds into the teaching profession, said Arne Duncan the U.S. Secretary of Education.
Wills thinks location had a role to play in terms of Chico State being one of the schools selected from the 178 that applied.
“I think it’s because we are near so many rural schools,” Wills said. “They need improving in their special education programs and need better education departments.”
The four districts needing assistance are Cascade Union Elementary School District, Marysville Unified School District, Orland Joint Unified School District and Palermo Union School District.
The heads of the project are Phyllis Fernlund, dean of the College of Communication and Education, Payne and professor Michelle Cepello.
The departments collaborating include professional studies in education, behavioral sciences, humanities and fine arts, education and natural sciences.
First, it’s important to know that there are several projects funded by the grant, said Payne in an e-mail interview.
The first is Integrated Teacher Core, she said. It is a four-year undergraduate program for a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a credential in elementary education, bilingual elementary education or special education.
“It will offer a minor in special education or an emphasis in teaching English learners.” Payne said.
There will also be the Rural Teacher Residency Program, an eighteen-month program that will allow students to receive a credential in elementary education, bilingual elementary education or special education and a master’s degree.
“The goal is to begin the RTR program no later than summer 2010,” Payne said.
These teaching residencies will be established at 24 elementary schools and 7 middle schools in the four districts, according to the press release.
Another project, Project Co-STARS, stands for Collaboration for Student and Teacher Achievement in Rural Schools.
“It is intended to be a true collaboration that benefits both the partner schools and the teacher preparation programs at the university,” she added.
The grant will span through multiple years and right now is more in the planning period, Wills said.
So far $1.14 million of the $7.3 million budget has been allocated this semester.
As of now, Chico State is beginning work on development of partnerships, recruitment of candidates, curriculum review and revision and program design, Payne said.
Emily Phillips can be reached at ephillips@theorion.com
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