For the eleventh consecutive year, the Council on Postsecondary Education awarded federal grant funds to improve P-12 educator quality through professional development programs.
The Improving Educator Quality (IEQ) grants, totaling $895,000, were awarded to four lead institutions, including Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University and University of Kentucky.
Included in the proposals are partnerships with the University of Louisville, Hazard Community and Technical College, Madisonville Community College, the Kentucky Center for Mathematics, Thomas More College, as well as local high-need school districts.
“These partnerships are breaking new ground in priority content areas, and as a result, more high school students will graduate college and career ready,” said Council President Bob King.
The focus of the program this year is on fully integrating the Common Core Standards by assisting teachers in providing intervention in content areas for students in need of accelerated learning, which helps successful students advance to the next stage and helps struggling students catch up.
To be eligible, a partnership must include a postsecondary institution’s school of arts and sciences, its teacher preparation program, as well as a high-need local school district.
The projects, lead institutions and grant awards are listed below.
- Reading for the 21st Century: Improving Reading Comprehension Through Project-Based Learning, Morehead State University, $135,000–Year 2
- Developing Standards-Based Digital Content for Next Generation Learning, Murray State University, $90,000–Year 2
- Continuous Assessment and Algebraic Thinking: Keys for Career and College Readiness, University of Kentucky, $150,000–Year 2
- Algebraic Dynamic Duo: Integrating Hands-On Learning and Problem Solving to Increase Student Achievement, Morehead State University, $130,000
- Success in Algebra: Improving Special Education Teaching Practice, University of Kentucky, $130,000
- FLIP: Using Video Podcasts for Mathematics Instruction and Intervention, Northern Kentucky University, $130,000
- Collaborative for Inquiry-Based Instruction, Northern Kentucky University, $130,000
Here is what NKU plans to do with the funding:
Northern Kentucky University: $130,000
Collaborative for Inquiry-Based Instruction
Jennifer Stansbury Koening and Susan Cook, principal investigators
Northern Kentucky University, in collaboration with Thomas More College, will expand support for the professional learning community of Instructional Coaches established by the Northern Kentucky Partnership Academy. CIBI will promote best practices of inquiry-based and project-based instructional strategies during workshops convened by postsecondary experts of Teacher Education, Mathematics, Sciences, and Literacy. Participants will engage in experiential instruction that builds their capacity to effectively coach teachers to implement inquiry-based instructional strategies and implement project-based instructional strategies to accelerate student learning.
Northern Kentucky University: $130,000
FLIP: Using Video Podcasts for Mathematics Instruction and Intervention
Theodore Hodgson and Renee Campoy, principal investigators
Northern Kentucky University, in collaboration with Murray State University and the Kentucky Center for Mathematics will provide mathematics teachers the opportunity to pilot a flipped instructional model. With the guidance of university specialists in mathematics education, teacher education, and technology, 30 teachers in grades 7-12 will “flip” the traditional instructional sequence using content-based video podcasts. In the flipped classroom, students view teacher-created video podcasts of the lesson as homework. Time in the classroom is then devoted to clarifying discussions, computational and conceptual practices, and enrichment activities. Research on this emerging model indicates that students are more actively engaged in the classroom, achieve and succeed at higher levels, and assume greater responsibility for their learning.
SOURCE: press release
