25 Sep2024
By Anne Tapp Jaksa
This article is authored by the following:
- Anne Tapp Jaksa, Saginaw Valley State University
- Dan Dao, University of Iowa
- Jill Waliczek, Saginaw Valley State University
- Alex St. Clair, Caro Community Schools
As the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into educational environments continues to grow, so does the need for clear, ethical guidelines that ensure AI’s use is responsible, equitable, and transparent. Colleges of Education, in partnership with P-12 schools, are embarking on an important research project focused on the theme of “Ethics and Digital Citizenship in Colleges of Education and P-12 Environments.”
Our goal is to develop comprehensive ethical guidelines for the use of AI in instructional design, emphasizing data privacy, algorithmic fairness, and the transparency of AI tools. These guidelines will support educators, students, and institutions in navigating the complexities of AI technology while fostering a digital culture rooted in responsibility and ethics.
24 Sep2024
By AACTE
As Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D., CAE, prepares to retire from her role as president and CEO of AACTE, it is an opportune moment to reflect on her impactful leadership from 2017 to 2024. As she leaves AACTE in her eighth year of service, Gangone has not only navigated significant changes in the landscape of educator preparation but has also laid a solid foundation for the future of AACTE and its commitment to revolutionizing education for all learners.
Navigating Change in Teacher Preparation
Gangone’s tenure coincided with pivotal shifts in education preparation program accreditors and the growth of non-higher education alternative preparation programs. Under her guidance, AACTE adeptly adapted to these challenges, ensuring that comprehensive educator preparation programs maintained their relevance while embracing innovative pathways to educator preparation. Her foresight in recognizing these trends allowed the association to remain a leading voice in representing colleges of education and their educator preparation programs, shaping the future of innovative educator preparation.
23 Sep2024
By Maine Department of Education
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) awarded $750,000 in climate education professional development grants to 10 programs throughout the state. These programs will support partnerships between school administrative units (SAUs), schools, and community organizations to strengthen climate education opportunities for students across Maine.
This grant funding increases access to climate education for students throughout Maine. The grant directly funds professional learning for educators to partner with climate science experts and organizations in their communities. These programs are instrumental in providing educators and schools the support needed to address climate and resiliency in the classroom.
23 Sep2024
By U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education awarded nearly $50 million to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to support Hispanic and Latino students, and the colleges and universities preparing them for the future.
“Our nation’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions open up new doors to opportunity and success for Hispanic and Latino students every day,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The grants we’re announcing today double down on the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in Hispanic-Serving Institutions and reflect our determination to raise the bar for educational opportunity and equity in America.”
20 Sep2024
By AACTE
AACTE’s Holmes Program continues to grow, onboarding a new scholar to kick off the fall semester. Please join AACTE in welcoming Anqi Fan, from the University of Louisville.
20 Sep2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
AACTE recognizes Esmeralda Cartagena Collazo as the September 2024 Holmes Scholar of the Month. Cartagena Collazo’s outstanding contributions to academia, research, and education, exemplify the spirit of scholarly excellence and dedication to advancing education for marginalized communities.
Cartagena Collazo is pursuing a Ph.D. in Literacy, Language & Culture, at Texas Woman’s University, with an expected graduation of December 2025. Her academic foundation includes a post-baccalaureate certificate in biliteracy from Texas Woman’s University and both a master’s in education (specializing in curriculum and teaching English as a second language) and a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in ESL from the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico.
17 Sep2024
By AACTE
As the AACTE 2025 Annual Meeting approaches, AACTE is pleased to present an overview of recommended accommodations in Long Beach, CA, where you can save at the group rate.
17 Sep2024
By Brian Cox
Credit: Steve Tressler/Penn State College of Education. All Rights Reserved.
A Penn State College of Education faculty member is part of a multidisciplinary team across several universities that has been awarded a $3.5 million Transformative Research Grant from the Spencer Foundation to conduct a large-scale, five-year study on community-driven initiatives to teach Asian American studies in K-12 classrooms.
Soo-yong Byun, professor of education, demography, and Asian studies, said the study — which is being conducted across California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas — aims to document challenges and barriers faced by the social justice movement regarding implementation of Asian American studies in the classroom, especially in the wake of increased violence against Asians and Asian Americans spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers said they are also planning to use the information to provide resources for more states to eventually implement Asian American studies as a mandated part of their curricula.
17 Sep2024
By Esmeralda Cartagena Collazo
From an early age growing up in Puerto Rico, I developed a deep passion for languages. I was exposed to both Spanish and English, and I dreamed of becoming fluent in English, believing it would open doors for me. I thought that moving to the United States would make that dream come true, but my experience as a new student was far from what I had imagined. I didn’t have the support I needed, and instead of learning the language, I found myself isolated and struggling. However, those early challenges didn’t deter me from my goal. They fueled my determination to master the language that had once felt out of reach.
Like many newcomers, my journey was marked by perseverance. I continued to learn English despite the obstacles, and eventually, I pursued higher education, earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English as a Second Language (ESL). Today, I’m close to completing my Ph.D. Becoming an educator, especially in a language that wasn’t my first, was a way for me to turn my struggles into opportunities — not just for myself but for the many students and teachers I now support.
16 Sep2024
By AACTE
The deadline for submissions for the AACTE Awards Program has been extended to September 30.
This extension provides AACTE members with an additional two weeks to submit nominations that recognize outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of educator preparation. These awards are a distinguished opportunity to celebrate exceptional programs, innovative practices, and visionary leaders within the education community.
16 Sep2024
By David Jespersen
The Nebraska Department of Education will receive $55 million over the next five years to help improve literacy throughout the state. This is the largest grant the NDE has ever received and is part of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Nebraska is one of 23 recipients nationwide. The CLSD award spans five years, with a first-year award of $11,020,244.
The purpose of the federal CLSD program is to support State Education Agencies (SEA) in the implementation of comprehensive, statewide literacy efforts. The program is designed to advance literacy skills for children from birth through grade 12, with an emphasis on disadvantaged students, those living in poverty, English learners, and students with disabilities. Literacy skills include pre-literacy, reading, and writing.
16 Sep2024
By U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) awarded $251 million to 27 grantees across the country who are working to ensure individuals with disabilities have access to in-demand, good-paying jobs of the 21st century. These five-year grants, under the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) program, will continue to promote competitive, integrated employment (CIE) so that youth and adults with disabilities are paid real wages for real jobs while creating pathways to some of today’s most in-demand fields.
“Today, more than 60 million adults live with a disability – each with unique talents and strengths. In our 21st century economy, we must provide more opportunities for these individuals to achieve their goals for competitive integrated employment, independence, and economic self-sufficiency,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Through the Disability Innovation Fund and today’s announcement, we’ll make progress to overcome historic barriers to employment, while ensuring the varied needs, preferences, and goals of individuals with disabilities remain at the center of our vision for a strong, inclusive workforce.”
10 Sep2024
By Grace College
Grace College’s new Center for Literacy and Learning (CLL) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new tutoring center on the third floor of Mount Memorial Hall on September 9.
The CLL, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana, is dedicated to enhancing teacher candidate knowledge and application of Science of Reading evidence-based practices while collaborating with local school districts to build capacity for dynamic clinical placements.
“The Center for Literacy and Learning is our collective response to the need for literacy,” said Rachael Hoffert, Ed.D., director of the center and chair of the Department of Elementary Education at Grace.
10 Sep2024
By AACTE
The Journal of Teacher Education (JTE), AACTE’s flagship publication, is seeking manuscripts by December 1, 2024, to be submitted online for the journal’s 75th anniversary — with a special issue focusing on issues related to teacher education for pre- and in-service teachers.
Manuscripts submitted for consideration should be research/empirical reports and analyses or conceptual essays.
“Without question, time in the field helps teacher candidates traverse the theory-practice divide. Teacher residency programs are advanced forms of field-based learning or clinical preparation for beginning teachers,” Co-editor Valerie Hill-Jackson, Ed.D., said in the Call for Manuscripts.
09 Sep2024
By Oregon Department of Education
The Educator Advancement Council, on behalf of and in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) announces the release of the 2024 Educator Equity Report. The 2024 Educator Equity Report is the ninth report published by state education agencies since 2015 on educator workforce diversification efforts in Oregon.
The 2024 Educator Equity Report highlights several key findings that underscore the ongoing bright spots and challenges in achieving a more diverse educator workforce in Oregon. It is important to note that no state has a teacher workforce that proportionally mirrors the racial and ethnic diversity of its students. Despite slow progress, states, including Oregon, are actively improving and seeking strategies to recruit and retain teachers of color.