Three urban teaching academies that focus on building strong partnerships with local schools and reducing teacher-dropout rates were recognized last week by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future.
The Washington-based group and the MetLife Foundation awarded $50,000 grants to each of the programs, which prepare teachers to staff high-need city schools. The recipients are California State University-Long Beach, the Academy for Urban School Leadership in Chicago, and Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J.
Teacher-candidates at the academies work alongside teams of expert teachers. Accomplished teachers serve as mentors and help tailor the curriculum to the needs of the aspiring teachers. After graduation, teacher-candidates are provided support by academy staff members as they move in teams to teach in other high-priority schools in the district.
The commission said it views urban teaching academies as “replicable models” that can be modified to prepare teachers for small and rural schools.
