22 Feb2024
By UNLV News Center
As more Nevada teachers join the workforce to shape and educate the youth in the state, and as technology continues to advance, it is important to build confidence in educators who teach STEM. Enter the Nevada STEM Co-Lab Project.
A collaborative partnership between the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) College of Education and Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering; the Desert Research Institute (DRI); and the National Institute for the Advancement of Education — the Nevada STEM Co-Lab project aims to bridge formal and informal education in Nevada communities by providing access to curriculum-centered STEM activities and training for educators.
“This project has been a nice collaboration between UNLV and DRI. It was a successful partnership and is paving the way for additional proposals and ongoing collaboration,” said Hasan Deniz, a science education professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning.
The project comes from a congressionally directed STEM grant with three important parts. “The overall grant was to support the development of the STEM Co-Lab, or the technology learning space in our Las Vegas DRI campus, as well as the development of 16 new Green Boxes covering kindergarten through fifth grade,” said Emily McDonald-Williams, STEM Education program manager for DRI.
13 Feb2024
By Anne Tapp Jaksa and Jill Waliczek
Amidst the growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, it is essential to understand how P-12 and post-secondary students, teachers, and school administrators perceive and utilize these technologies (ISTE, 2023). A July 2023 survey indicated that a majority of students, parents, and teachers viewed AI tools favorably (Impact Research, 2023b). However, the specific ways in which students engage with AI tools and their perceptions remain underexplored.
To address this gap, Saginaw Valley State University has developed surveys to collect undergraduate pre-service teachers, graduate in-service teachers, and school administrators’ perceptions and experiences with AI tools. The surveys were modeled after and will be compared to a similar survey of students in grades 10 through 12 (Schiel, Bobek, & Schnieders, 2023). The surveys delve into various aspects of AI in education, including usage patterns, the impact of AI tools on creativity and academic performance, and attitudes toward their integration into the school environment. By gathering insights directly from educator preparation program (EPP) students, we aim to better support their educational journey and inform educational practices.
13 Feb2024
By U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today released a FAFSA College Support Strategy to provide additional personnel, funding, resources, and technology to help schools and students complete the better FAFSA form and to help colleges prepare to process student records as quickly and accurately as possible. The Department’s top priority is to ensure students can access the maximum financial aid possible to help them pursue their higher education goals and bring college within reach for more Americans. Since the new 2024–25 FAFSA form became available on December 30, more than 3.6 million forms have been successfully submitted.
The Department’s FAFSA College Support Strategy includes the following:
- Deploying federal personnel and expertise to help colleges prepare and process financial aid forms
- Directing funding for technical assistance and support for under-resourced colleges
- Releasing tools to help colleges prepare to quickly and accurately process student records and deliver financial aid packages
13 Feb2024
By AACTE
Get ready to embark on a journey that will transform how you approach teacher preparation. The upcoming AACTE 2024 Annual Meeting is set to feature a hands-on exploration of ATLAS, an online video library by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In this AACTE Learning Lab, participants will uncover the multitude of ways ATLAS is being utilized by educator preparation programs (EPPs) to enhance teacher candidates’ exposure to effective teaching and cultivate their reflective abilities.
09 Feb2024
By AACTE
Higher education is going through a seismic change — traditional methods are crumbling as the value proposition is increasingly questioned in our public discourse. Student needs are changing, while the ways education and work are delivered are transforming.
Howard Teibel, president of Teibel Education Consulting, will deliver the closing keynote of the AACTE 2024 Annual Meeting on February 18 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. to explore cultivating resiliency as change is at the forefront in educator preparation programs across the nation.
Teibel will pose the questions: What skills enable emotional resiliency that allow us to lead this kind of change effort? How can we best orient faculty, deans, and their colleagues to focus and build this shared commitment?
08 Feb2024
By AACTE
2024 is off to an exciting start with the addition of new Holmes Scholars from Ohio University, Bowie State University, and Fresno State. Join us in welcoming these new scholars to our vibrant community at the upcoming 2024 Holmes Preconference in Aurora/Denver, CO.
08 Feb2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
Congratulations to Linzy Andre, the distinguished Holmes Scholar of the Month for February 2024. Andre (she/her/hers) is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in counseling & counselor education at Syracuse University. Originally hailing from Brooklyn, NY, she completed her undergraduate studies in psychology at Hunter College, followed by her master’s in mental health counseling.
Andre’s research focuses on the lived experiences of students of color within counseling. She specializes in various areas, including but not limited to issues of client, student, and educator diversity in counseling. Her captivating dissertation, “Becoming a Counselor: Narratives from Black Women Counselors about Healing Wounds,” provides a unique perspective as it is written from the standpoint of a fellow Black woman counselor who has dedicated a decade to this field.
08 Feb2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
Congratulations to Paris C. Pruitt, the distinguished Holmes Scholar of the Month for January 2024. Pruitt (she/her/they) is a Black feminist counselor educator and advocate for Black girls. A National Certified Counselor and licensed professional school counselor in both Maryland and Connecticut, Pruitt centers her research around supporting the academic, social/emotional, and career needs of Black girls to educate school counselors and community partners.
Pruitt has worked as a professional school counselor in Maryland and Connecticut. In 2016, she founded the non-profit “Imprint Initiative, Inc”, which provides scholarships, mentoring programs, and workshops, to help students discover their passions and define success for themselves. Upholding her principles of service as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Pruitt was named “Activist of the Year” by the University of Connecticut’s chapter of the NAACP in 2019 and awarded the Community Service Award from the Phi Delta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta.
06 Feb2024
By AACTE
We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all participants of the AACTE 2024 Annual Meeting to join us for a pivotal Learning Lab, “Developing Equity-Centered Principals.” In the pursuit of excellence in education, understanding and addressing issues of equity are paramount. This session, scheduled for Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. MST, promises to be a transformative experience for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about creating inclusive learning environments.
06 Feb2024
Listen to Episode 2 of Preparing and Sustaining School Principals
By Nicole Dunn
AACTE’s newest podcast, AACTE PRESENTS: Preparing & Sustaining School Principals, shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of schools and universities – our principals and the people who make them. As the leading voice in educator preparation, we engage in candid conversations with researchers, faculty, practitioners, and scholars to explore what makes an effective PK-12 school leader and how to prepare them.
In this episode, we delve into principal pipelines, a key factor in ensuring schools are staffed with collaborative, effective leadership. Building on insights from Wallace’s Principal Pipeline Learning Community in 2019, where 84 school districts collaborated, this episode’s guests explore the approaches, opportunities, and challenges identified in the latest Wallace knowledge, a Principal Pipeline Sustainability Guide developed by Policy Study Associates.
06 Feb2024
By AACTE
Join the Kern Family Foundation’s sponsored Featured Session, “Integrity and Social Responsibility in Teacher Education,” on Saturday, February 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Colorado Ballroom B.
Character education and integrity are pivotal aspects of educator education as they form the bedrock of an educator’s professional identity and practice. Integrating character education into educator preparation programs equips future educators with the tools to address complex ethical challenges they may encounter, ultimately contributing to the creation of safe, respectful, and nurturing learning environments. Through their commitment to honesty, empathy, equity, and respect, educators can inspire the next generation to become not only academically proficient but also morally grounded individuals who contribute positively to their communities and society at large.
06 Feb2024
By Jason Moody
The Tennessee Grow Your Own Center, a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) and the University of Tennessee System, has been awarded a $1.8 million grant over two years by Ascendium Education Group to strengthen the teacher talent development pipeline across Tennessee, by increasing the number of individuals enrolling in teacher education programs and improving the retention of existing teachers.
The grant will fund the development of the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program of Study (RTAPS) which will be an online curriculum developed by faculty fellows in the Institute for Competency-Based Teacher Education (ICBTE). This program provides Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) and Local Education Agency (LEA) leaders with secure access to standards-based curriculum, that includes topics such as planning for instruction, family and community collaboration, and learner development.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Ascendium Education Group. These funds equip EPPs to create flexible, high-quality, low-cost educator preparation pathways that are accessible to aspiring educators from every community. Funding also provides opportunities to use virtual simulations to enhance teacher skill development,” said Erin Crisp, executive director of the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center.
06 Feb2024
By Rhode Island Department of Education
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced the agency received nearly $5 million in school infrastructure grant funding through the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE)’s Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) program. The federal grants, totaling $47 million across the nation, will strengthen the capacity of RIDE’s ongoing priority of improving school facilities to ensure equitable access to modern learning environments for all students. Rhode Island is only one of seven State Education Agencies (SEAs) that received funding.
“Modern and sustainable school facilities are critical in ensuring our students are able to learn year-round and be present in the classroom,” said Governor McKee. “Over the past few years, we have upgraded several school buildings across the Ocean State to support the best outcomes for students. Thank you to the U.S. Department of Education and the Biden-Harris Administration for offering this important funding to help ongoing school improvements across Rhode Island.”
05 Feb2024
By Nicole Dunn
Black History Month is not merely a reflection on the past; it is a call to action, an opportunity to amplify Black voices and contributions within the realm of education. This year, we extend an enthusiastic invitation to all AACTE members, educators, and education leaders to join us in embracing excellence as we celebrate Black History Month.
As educator preparation programs (EPPs) that produce our country’s educators and education leaders, we play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of the next generation. By actively participating in Black History Month celebrations, we create a space that fosters inclusivity, diversity, and a genuine appreciation for the contributions of Black individuals in educator preparation.
February is also the month of AACTE’s 2024 Annual Meeting, with the theme of Ascending New Heights: Propelling the Profession Into the Future. Part of the work to achieve a future that fully embraces and celebrates a diverse study body is actively participating in the celebration of Black history. Celebrate and engage with us February 16– 18 at the Annual Meeting events below that feature Black excellence and advocate for inclusive and enriched educational experiences for all.
This list is not an exhaustive list of all sessions and speakers that represent or are speaking to Black educator preparation topics. For a full list and to plan your experience visit the Annual Meeting 2024 Online Planner.
05 Feb2024
By U.S. Department of Education
The Biden-Harris Administration today is announcing 19 new grant awards totaling $25 million through the first-ever Perkins Innovation and Modernization, Career Connected High Schools (CCHS) grant program.
This investment, issued by the U.S. Department of Education (Department), builds the capacity of education and workforce systems to partner with business and industry, to develop new high-quality career-connected high school programs for more students. Grantees will leverage four evidence-based strategies, or “keys,” to help students in unlocking career success including: providing postsecondary education and career guidance; increasing access to dual or concurrent enrollment programs; increasing work-based learning opportunities; and providing industry-recognized credentials.
