File photo.
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) have received a $1.5 million grant from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation to expand practice-based training for new K-8 teachers, the university announced today.
“We take deep pride in our teacher education programs and the great teachers who are making a difference throughout our Long Beach schools,” said CSULB President Jane Close Conoley in a statement. “CSULB and LBUSD have been lauded nationally for our comprehensive and innovative collaboration in the area of teacher preparation, and this grant will further strengthen our partnership and increase the number of highly qualified teachers in the area.”
The grant will expand the teacher network to ensure that all elementary and special education teacher participants are placed in high quality teaching placements. They will engage in early field experiences with teachers, who are skilled in the new standards and proficient at delivering research-based instructional practices.
“This on-going support from the S.D. Bechtel Foundation will allow us to deepen and strengthen the preparation of our teaching candidates to ensure that they are prepared on day one to be effective teachers,” said dean of CSULB’s College of Education Marquita Grenot-Scheuer in a statement.
Investments made by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation will expand the CSU’s New Generation of Educators Initiative (NGEI), an initiative focused on preparing highly qualified math and science teachers for the elementary and middle grades.
For more information on the NGEI, click here.