The University of North Florida College of Education and Human Services received a $7 million partnership grant.
Project Partnering to Renew the Educator Pipeline, in conjunction with Clay County District Schools and UNF’s College of Arts and Sciences, will help address the teacher shortage and create more equitable teaching outcomes, according to a UNF news release.
“We know that the greatest influence on a student’s academic achievement is a strong, well-trained teacher. This partnership will allow us to invest in the next generation of teachers and leaders who will help our students achieve their dreams,” David Broskie, Clay County District Schools superintendent, said in the release.
Awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, Project PREP is the largest single grant the College of Education and Human Services has received to date. Spanning five years, the total amount awarded will be $7,023,252 with first-year funding at $1,012,347.
The school-university-district partnership grant is intended to build an educator pathway to enhance recruitment, preparation, induction and retention of teachers and teacher leaders across the teacher pipeline in a high-need school district.
The project comprises high school dual enrollment, undergraduate teacher preparation and certification, new teacher induction and teacher leadership graduate certificates.
UNF said advanced credentials are stackable toward a master’s in education and school principal learning through Professional Learning Communities, which is an educational doctorate in educational leadership offered through UNF.
UNF said the project uses a Professional Development School model to provide learning opportunities to current and future teachers and teacher leaders while maintaining a commitment to diversity and equity.