About This Project: Project History

In the fall of 1999, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley announced that 33 million dollars was being set aside for Teacher Quality Partnership grants to better prepare new teachers to meet the demands of today's classroom. He stated that, "Effective teaching starts with effective training. Through partnerships between universities and school districts whose student populations face many learning challenges, these grants will revamp teacher preparation programs to ensure that tomorrow's teachers have the knowledge and skills to understand every child's strengths and weaknesses and to help each one reach his or her potential."

South Carolina responded to this challenge and in January 2000 four institutions were jointly awarded almost four million dollars to conduct a five-year project entitled, The Partners for the Enhancement of Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education. The partnership involves four Institutions of Higher Education (IHE's) including : The University of South Carolina, Winthrop University, Furman University, Benedict College, and numerous associated professional development school sites.

The IHE's are jointly conducting activities and evaluations based on innovative programs designed to enhance the clinical experiences of pre-service teachers and improve the academic achievement of high needs students within the PDS schools. Each of the colleges is looking at a different aspect of the clinical experience and taking the lead in designing courses, programs and support systems to help assure the success of new teachers. Since this is a Title II program, the focus of the grant is on children with special needs, children at-risk, children of poverty, and high needs children living in empowerment zones. Academic achievement, better access to technology, school climate and teacher retention are issues considered in developing programs for special student populations.