Director: Jane Zenger, University of South Carolina
Principal Investigator: Therese Kuhs, University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina was awarded a $3.5 million
federal grant in October 1999 to collaborate with Winthrop University,
Furman University, Benedict College, and Pre K-12 schools in Columbia,
South Carolina (Richland School District One and Two). These
schools, known collectively as the Partners for the Enhancement
of Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education, are actively developing
programs that:
- enhance the quality of education for all Pre K-12 students,
especially those with high needs
- enhance teacher preparation by assisting college and graduate
students meet the pre-requisites for teaching in any Pre K-12
school
- develop programs to meet the needs of interns, student teachers,
and first year teachers
Goals of the Project
The funding period of the project is from October 15, 1999 to October 15, 2004. All Partners
are involved in five primary goals:
- Revise current teacher preparation programs to an accountable,
standards-based model in which teachers are prepared to work with
challenging students through content, pedagogy, and the use of
technology.
- Develop clinical model sites and field requirements in preparing
teachers to help all students in pre K-12 schools meet state and
national standards.
- Involve Institutions of Higher Learning (IHE) faculty and Pre
K-12 teachers, administrators, and their respective communities
in the simultaneous renewal and service of Pre K-12 schooling
and teacher development in their communities.
- Disseminate the work of the South Carolina Network for Educational
Renewal (SCNER) to other schools and universities.
- Strengthen the collaboration among members and institutions
of the SCNER and the Network for Educational Renewal (NER).
Each of the four higher education institutions will be a model site for collaborative reform. These
model sites will focus on one aspect of teacher preparation and
involve the number of key elements to include:
- University/site professors revise curricular to prepare future
teachers for the classroom
- Study effective schools to strengthen standards, achievement,
and teacher development
- Implement technology to help students meet the needs of an
evolving technological society
- Test and adopt clinical models proving most effective in enhancing
the clinical experiences and in best practices of state and local
standards
- Establish classroom settings conducive to high achievement
Clinical Models Development
An important dimension of this project is piloting one or more of the teaching practices that
has become a part of the overall project vision of teacher quality.
Each site has developed the following programs:
- Furman has implemented a teacher-to-teacher supported internship.
- Winthrop established a Corp of Mentor Teachers, a course of
study in which a group of exceptionally qualified public school
teachers mentor student interns and new teachers.
- Benedict works with future teachers in strengthening classroom
management skills and integrating technology in challenging Pre
K-12 schools in Richland District One.
- The University of South Carolina has established School Context
Teams with Arts and Sciences faculty members and Pre K-12 faculty
to analyze college programs, classroom environment and clinical/pre-clinical
student surveys to continuously strengthen the teaching program
and provide maximum support for future teachers.
Disseminating Best Practices Via the Web Site
The Teacher Quality Collaboration
website highlights and monitors the activities and research for
each partner sites providing on-going information to enhance the
clinical experiences of interns, student teachers, and first year
teachers across the state. The TQC website features:
- A digital discussion board, a forum for continuous dialogue
with student-teachers and recent graduates of educational programs
in the institutions of higher education.
- Teacher quality research, resources and lesson plans to help
stimulate creative teaching methods.
- Links to other national programs and professional development
schools.
For more information contact the Site Directors:
Dr.
Jane Zenger and Dr.Therese Kuhs
University of South Carolina
College of Education
Columbia, SC 29208
Phone: (803) 777-6239
Email: zengerj@gwm.sc.edu
Email: tkuhs@gwm.sc.edu
|
Dr.
Jonatha Vare
Winthrop University
Withers Building, 204 C
Rock Hill, SC 29733
Phone: (803) 323-2381
Email: varej@winthrop.edu
|
Dr.
Lesley Quast
Furman University
3300 Poinsett Highway
Greenville, SC 29613
Phone: (864) 294-2000
Email: lesley.quast@furman.edu
|
Dr.
Ted Coker, and Ed Hill
Benedict College
Columbia, SC 29204
Telephone: (803) 253-5241 or
(803) 806-3252 (Mr. Hill)
Email: Cokert@benedict.edu
Email: Hille@benedict.edu |
Project Goals.doc
Project Goals.pdf
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