Request Follows Report Stating Teachers in Rural Communities Less Likely to Receive Sufficient On-the-Job Preparation, including Extensive Time to Practice, Prior to Becoming Full-Time Teachers
BATON ROUGE, La.—The Louisiana Department of Education is seeking applications from eligible rural school systems interested in and committed to piloting innovative approaches to increase access to classroom-based educator preparation. The Request for Applications released today responds to a recent report indicating that teachers in rural communities are less likely to receive sufficient on-the-job training, including extensive time to practice under an expert mentor teacher, prior to becoming full-time teachers.
“Every aspiring teacher deserves sufficient time to practice before assuming full responsibility for their classroom,” said State Superintendent John White. “While logistical challenges may make this more difficult in rural school systems, we owe it to our aspiring teachers, to our preparation providers, and to our school systems to explore innovative approaches to preparing teachers in these communities.”
The application seeks eligible school systems to participate in a two-year grant program in which school systems and preparation providers develop innovative models of post-baccalaureate preparation that include ample time for hands-on practice in the classroom with appropriate supports, including an expert mentor teacher.
School systems selected to participate will receive customized, free support as they work to design and implement a post-baccalaureate preparation experience that meets their specific workforce needs. Participating school systems will also be involved in ongoing dialogue about program implementation and outcomes in an effort to help produce models that are fiscally sustainable and replicable in both rural and non-rural settings across the state.
Up to five districts will be selected and each participating district will receive up to $150,000 over the course of the two-year period. Each participating district will receive $15,000 upon selection, and additional funds will be awarded, based on the plan submitted and district size, to assist with the costs associated with implementing the pilot.
The deadline for applications is November 10, 2017, at 5 p.m. Following an objective review process, selected school systems will be notified by November 17, 2017, and the awards will be sent to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for final approval at its January meeting.
To access the application, click here.
To learn more about teacher preparation efforts in rural communities, click here.
To learn more about teacher preparation programs statewide, click here.