College of Education - Professional Development Schools
Title II Grant
The New Jersey Consortium For Middle-School Teacher Preparation
This project is a $5.8 million, statewide five-year teacher quality enhancement initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title II of the Higher Education Act. It links Rowan University, Kean University, and Rider University with five high need school districts, Apple Computer, Inc., and the Buck Institute for Education in a venture to improve teacher preparation programs, and professional development programs designed for practicing teachers.
Grant’s Focus
During the 2004-2009 period, the NJ Consortium for Middle-School Teacher Preparation will address five goal topics, including:
- reforming teacher preparation programs to address specific needs of middle-school teachers;
- preparing new and experienced teachers to understand and use assessment tools and evidence-based teaching;
- increasing the use of technology to improve instruction;
- supporting new teachers in urban and rural communities through mentor training and induction programs; and,
- initiating a scientifically-based research study to evaluate the impact of the project.
Activities to be implemented differ between the involved consortium partners. Rowan University, with $1.47 million of the total grant, will focus on the following:
- Expanding the College of Education’s PDS network to include a second site in the Bridgeton Public School, and a new site in the Woodbury Public Schools.
- Providing professional development services regionally for middle grade teachers who must meet federal “highly qualified” standards, and for other teachers who are interested in more information about implementing New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Content Standards.
- Providing technical assistance through Rowan’s Beginning Teacher Induction Center to teachers who are in their first three years of teaching.
Anyone interested in further information regarding this project should contact Mr. Joseph Manzione at the Education Institute of Rowan University, (856) 256-4715.
Title II Grant Partners
The following are partners with Rowan University in the Title II Grant:
