The University of Findlay - UF Receives Ohio Core Grant to Train Science Teachers

The University of Findlay has been selected as the recipient of a $300,000 Ohio Core grant to train 30 college graduates to be Ohio teachers in life science and integrated science, both high-need and hard-to-staff subject areas.

Building teacher capacity is central to Gov. Bob Taft’s Ohio Core proposal, a more rigorous high school curriculum that will better prepare Ohio students for work, college and life. The plan would make the Ohio Core curriculum the default standard for graduation in the state beginning with the class of 2011.

UF is one of only six Ohio higher education institutions to receive a total of $2.6 million for teacher training. The funding will enable each institution to train Ohio teachers and mid-career professionals in a 12-month intensive program, beginning in fall 2006, which will lead to a provisional teaching license in advanced mathematics, laboratory-based science or a foreign language at the secondary level. Candidates enrolled in this program will be fully licensed and employable by fall 2007. Graduates of the program will be required to complete the appropriate testing requirements to become a fully licensed teacher.

Project Building Excellent Science Teachers (BEST) is an accelerated one-year teacher preparation program designed by The University of Findlay in response to an RFP from the Ohio Department of Education. UF faculty members Melissa Cain, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education; Judith Wahrman, Ph.D., associate professor of education and director of graduate outreach and partnerships; Gwynne Rife, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, and Julie D. McIntosh, Ed.D., assistant professor of education and director of adult/young adult and multi-age programs, developed the program and submitted the grant proposal.

The project’s goal is to develop life science and integrated science teachers who will be prepared to work effectively with culturally diverse students and families, utilizing state-of-the-art science practices.

Thirty high-ability college graduates, currently licensed teachers and mid-career professionals, will be recruited to complete 24 semester hours in 12 months. Each course will be completed primarily online with no more than two face-to-face sessions on Saturdays. Project BEST participants will take two courses during each of four sessions, as well as take part in an intense two-week laboratory-based institute. Project BEST culminates with participants developing a web-based science laboratory demonstration. The program is designed to accommodate those who work during the day. Rife and McIntosh will teach the accelerated courses.

Application forms for those who wish to participate in Project BEST can be obtained by e-mailing sleatherman@findlay.edu or calling 419-434-4073. Completed forms must be postmarked by Aug. 28, 2006. All selected candidates will be required to attend an orientation session Saturday, Sept. 16, at The University of Findlay. The grant award will be used to cover tuition expenses for each student enrolled in the program, leaving each student responsible only for fees and books.

The funding for the grant is a result of House Bill 115, sponsored by Rep. Setzer, R- Vandalia, which appropriates $13.2 million for fiscal year 2007 to build teacher capacity and student learning in high school math, science and foreign language. The bill, which Taft signed into law in June, implements part of the Ohio Core proposal. One of the initiatives in the bill is the appropriation of up to $1.5 million to be used to support alternative teacher preparation programs, such as Project BEST.