North Dakota State University is a partner in the far-reaching "Teacher Effectiveness Initiative" funded with a $5 million grant from the Bush Foundation. The new initiative, which is designed to transform teacher preparation programs, was announced at a Dec. 3 news conference.
NDSU is partnering with Valley City State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead for the local effort, which is part of a $40 million total initiative involving 14 institutions in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
"The greatest gift is the gift of a great education," said Peter Hutchinson, Bush Foundation president. "We believe that over the decade we can significantly raise the achievement of every student and reduce disparities among student groups."
Hutchinson said 40 percent of the tri-state region's 72,000 teachers are expected to leave or retire by 2020. He emphasized a need to recruit and prepare quality teachers, saying the total Bush initiative may result in at least 25,000 new teachers during the next 10 years. The local partnership estimates 250 annual graduates.
"It's really fun to see the power of partnership expressed in this grant proposal," said NDSU President Richard A. Hanson. "I want to thank our partners for making this happen because we will be stronger together than we would be separately."
The initiative will target middle school, high school and college students and career transition professions with customized recruitment approaches. The partnership plans to offer students a variety of certificates, such as English language learners, reading, special education and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Prospective teachers will be placed in partnering schools that share the goal of developing highly effective teachers. New teaching graduates also will have support through mentors and online training.
"This partnership is going to only help our students in the future. Our goal is to improve teacher education programs so that all of our students that graduate will be effective teachers," said Gary Thompson, dean of the School of Education and Graduate Studies at VCSU.
Susan Severson, professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at MSUM, said, "We are excited about teacher education reform. We think we are on the right page, and we've explored so many new ideas. It's been very exciting."
NDSU anticipates funding from the grant to continue through 2014. Virginia Clark Johnson, dean of the NDSU College of Human Development and Education, said, "In the grant, they talk about transforming teacher education and I really think this has the potential to do that. Thanks to all the faculty, schools and administrators - it's been fun to see this pull together."
In addition to NDSU, VCSU and MSUM, other participating institutions include Augsburg College, Bethel University, Concordia University-St. Paul, Hamline University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, St. Cloud State University, University of St. Thomas, University of South Dakota and Winona State University.
The foundation was established in 1953 by 3M executive Archibald Bush and his wife, Edyth. According to its Web site, the foundation "strives to be a catalyst to shape vibrant communities in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the states' geography by investing in courageous and effective leadership that significantly strengthens and improves the well-being of people in these areas."