Indiana’s efforts to recruit more teachers into the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields received another major boost today with the announcement of $9.7 million in funding from the state’s new STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund. Approved by the 2013 General Assembly, the grant program encourages the recruitment and retention of teachers in STEM fields.
More than 115,000 new STEM jobs are projected for Indiana by 2018, with 40 percent requiring post-secondary education leading to an associate’s degree, and 60% requiring a four-year degree.
“Our employers tell us that tomorrow’s workers will need more STEM skills, and Indiana’s goal is to identify and encourage quality teachers to broaden our students’ learning experiences,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Continuing to recruit top educators and expand our students’ options will only enhance the outstanding work of our teachers, but also help our students as they make decisions about future career opportunities.”
Administered by the state’s Education Roundtable, which is co-chaired by the governor and superintendent of public instruction, the funds will be distributed to ten organizations that submitted proposals by the November 1st deadline. The grant review team, consisting of staff from the Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education, the Charter School Board, and the Center for Education & Career Innovation, reviewed and rated thirteen proposals.
“The establishment of the Indiana STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund can significantly strengthen STEM teaching and learning in Indiana,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz. “In 2012 the Indiana Department of Education began the development of a statewide STEM education plan and this award will support additional students receiving STEM learning opportunities.”
The grants were announced today at the Indiana Career Council meeting, where state leaders and stakeholders discussed state strategies and challenges for preparing tomorrow’s workforce. The following proposals receiving grants:
Teach for America $1,976,426
Recent college graduates will be recruited to teach STEM subjects in Indianapolis and northwest Indiana low-income schools; Participants commit to at least two year teaching assignments in Indiana schools with high at-risk student populations; more than 70% of Indiana Teach for America participants continue to teach in Indiana beyond their initial commitment. Teach or America’s participants receive training through Marian University and the University of Phoenix.
Contact: Rebecca Thompson Boyle: Rebecca.ThompsonBoyle@teachforamerica.org
Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship Program $3,716,304
By recruiting recent college graduates and professionals who have already completed undergraduate degrees in STEM fields, the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship program has partnered with Ball State University, the University of Indianapolis, Purdue University, and IUPUI to support 180 participants complete Master’s Degrees to become licensed to teach STEM subjects. Graduates commit to teach for at least three years in Indiana schools with high at-risk student populations.
Contact: Eric Bedel: eric@woodrow.org
Independent Colleges of Indiana $1,529,550
The thirty-one Indiana independent, non-profit colleges and universities will collaborate to train more STEM teachers by (1) strengthening STEM preparation for pre-service teachers to become licensed in STEM subjects; (2) expanding STEM graduate course opportunities for teachers to complete licensing requirements in STEM subjects; and (3) organizing course and other training for teachers to become certified to teach STEM dual credit courses.
Contact: Mary Ellen Hamer: mehamer@icindiana.org
University of Southern Indiana Foundation $835,138
The University of Southern Indiana departments of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, physics, mathematics, and teacher education will recruit STEM majors to complete secondary education teacher licensure requirements and will support elementary education majors interested in completing science teaching or elementary/middle level math minors. Program participants—Teaching Eagles—will also be engaged in co-curricular service learning opportunities.
Contact: Scott Gordon: sgordon@usi.edu Cindy Brinker: cbrinker@usi.edu
Indiana Association of Career & Technical Education Directors $290,881
The IACTED will partner with the Indiana Department of Education, Ball State University, Indiana State University, IUPUI and Vincennes University to recruit and train teachers for STEM career and technical education courses. Participants will complete the Workplace Specialist I CTE teacher training program and Workplace Specialist II licensure requirements.
Contacts: Marilyn Metzler: marilyn.metzler@iacted.org
Conexus $393,141
Through the development of the Hire Technology advanced manufacturing and logistics curriculum for high school students, Conexus is preparing students for middle-skills jobs in high wage economic growth sectors. Conexus will expand the recruitment and training of Hire Technology teacher by including pre-service teachers at Marian University and Ball State University. Additionally, Conexus will recruit college graduates and working professionals to complete Hire Technology teaching certification requirements through Ivy Tech Community College.
Contact: Claudia Cummings: ccummings@conexusindiana.com
Indiana After School Network $311,850
The Indiana After School Network will partner with Marian University and Indiana University-South Bend to recruit undergraduate STEM majors who are not yet enrolled in teacher education programs and pre-service teacher education students who are not yet in STEM fields to participate in STEM instructional activities for students during out-of-school time. Through the Ignite! Scholars Program, these undergraduate students will engage students in after school programs at Indiana Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Center, using NASA Ignite and First Robotics curricula.
Contact: Debbie Zipes: dzipes@indianaafterschool.org
Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation Foundation $188,100
By establishing “senior academies” to transform the senior year of high school so that eligible students can complete college coursework, the Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation will train teachers to be licensed or certified to teach STEM Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses and STEM dual credit courses in partnership with three of the state’s major research universities (Purdue University, Indiana University, and Ball State University).
Contact: McGrath: dmcgrath@hse.k12.in.us
Purdue University Research Foundation: Agricultural Science $173,250
To increase the number of agricultural science teachers, Purdue University will partner with Vincennes University, Ivy Tech-Columbus, and Ivy Tech- Ft. Wayne to recruit students completing agricultural science associate degrees to transfer to baccalaureate degree agricultural science teacher licensure programs. This 2 + 2 model will be supplemented with a distance-based introductory agricultural science education course to be offered to associate degree students.
Contact: Roger Tormoehlen: torm@purdue.edu
Project Lead the Way $247,500
Recognized as a national leader in high school engineering and biomedical science curricula, Project Lead the Way will expand training opportunities for teachers to become certified to teach PLTW Pathway to Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Gateway Technology courses and curricula. PLTW will focus on STEM career and technical education pathways for high school students aligned with work-based learning opportunities, particularly in advanced manufacturing.
Contact: Amanda Kamman: akamman@pltw.org