TQP Grant Applications Now Open! Intent to Apply Due June 11
The U.S. Department of Education has formally published a notice inviting applications for a new Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grant cycle. Interested applicants should notify the Department by June 11 of their intent to apply, with completed applications due 4:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 26.
The TQP grant program, authorized in Title II of the Higher Education Act, is the only federal initiative designed to strengthen and reform educator preparation at institutions of higher education. AACTE has long advocated for this program, which funds partnerships between institutions of higher education and high-need schools and districts to develop master’s-level residency programs or to reform undergraduate preservice preparation programs.
This grant cycle features two absolute priorities and three competitive preference priorities. Applications must address only one of the absolute priorities and are allowed to address any combination of the competitive preference priorities.
Absolute Priorities
- Partnership Grants for the Preparation of Teachers: Under this absolute priority, eligible partnerships would (a) create model teacher preparation programs at the prebaccalaureate level (or in a 5th-year initial licensing program) through the implementation of specific reforms that the institution’s existing teacher preparation programs must address, and (b) provide follow-up supports for program graduates who become teachers in partner districts.
- Partnership Grants for the Establishment of Effective Teaching Residency Programs: Under this absolute priority, eligible partnerships would (a) create model teaching residency programs for individuals with strong academic and/or professional backgrounds but without teaching experience, (b) ensure that participants are able to receive a master’s degree and full teaching certification or licensing within 18 months, and (c) provide participants with a living stipend or salary for 12 months in exchange for an agreement to serve in a high-need school of a partner district for not less than 3 years.
Competitive Preference Priorities
- Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math (STEM) Education, With a Particular Focus on Computer Science (up to 3 points): Projects designed to improve student achievement or other educational outcomes in one or more of the following areas: science, technology, engineering, math, or computer science.
- Promoting Effective Instruction in Classrooms and Schools (up to 3 points): Projects that are designed to support the recruitment or retention of educators who are effective and increase diversity (including, but not limited to, racial and ethnic diversity).
- Novice Applicants (up to 2 points): Projects that meet the definition of Novice Applicant at the time of application.
Interested applicants should carefully review the formal notice along with the 2018 application package. The Department anticipates awarding up to 20 new grants for this cycle, with an average award of $750,000 (for Year 1 of the grant; additional funding is contingent on the availability of funds appropriated by Congress).
Have questions? E-mail TQPartnership@ed.gov or Mia Howerton at mia.howerton@ed.gov.
Tags: clinical preparation, federal issues, funding, school-university partnerships, teacher quality
