University
or Wisconsin System: PK-16 and Waisman Center State Improvement
Mini Grants
We are pleased
to announce that 5 higher education partnerships have been funded
to advance quality professional development experiences for early
childhood education and care professionals in Wisconsin. In an effort
to demonstrate collaboration in early childhood professional development
initiatives, the University of Wisconsin System (PK-16 Initiative
Grants) and the University
of Wisconsin Waisman Center (Department of Public Instruction
- State Improvement Grant) joined to offer grant opportunities for
2005.
- The successful
applicants responded with initiatives that support the following
state priorities related to early childhood education and care:
- Insure positive
outcomes for all children through high quality early childhood
education and care provided by well trained professionals.
- Create articulated,
connected, and competency-based systems of professional development
guided by the implementation of PI 34, which support ongoing professional
development and mentoring.
- Increase
the number of people in the state with bachelor degrees in order
to meet the growing demand for highly qualified teachers in 4K,
Head Start and other quality early childhood education and care
programs.
- Improve
access to higher education to diversify the workforce and meet
the needs of non-traditional learners.
The partners
involved in these grants include the University of Wisconsin system,
private colleges, the Wisconsin Technical College system, and other
community agencies supporting early education and care programs.
Two projects will be in an implementation
phase and three will be in a planning phase
preparing for future implementation funding opportunities. A condition
of funding is participation in a state wide advisory group that
will promote effective collaboration across systems. A summary of
each project as well as a list of partners follows.
Congratulations
to the successful applicants and thank you to all the communities
that entered collaborative conversations to propose projects. We
are looking forward to showcasing the outcomes resulting from these
partnerships in order to extend the learning and future funding
opportunities to other higher education partnerships.
Planning Grants
Title: Horizontal
and Vertical Connections to Strengthen the Preparation of Personnel
to Teach Young Children in Western Wisconsin
Fiscal Institution: UW River Falls
Partners: Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
UW Eau Claire
Abstract
Project Summary:
As a result of collaborative efforts, and through program alignment
and technology, participants from an extensive geographical area
will have the option to attain higher qualifications in Early Childhood
Education and Early Childhood Special Education. The outcomes will
entail the design and implementation of an articulation agreement
between the partners which will enable students to earn credit for
their Early Childhood Associate degree as they pursue a pathway
of further study to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. Special attention
will be placed on distribution of experiences that promote the acquisition
of knowledge and development of skills and dispositions through
developmental experiences that include pre-student teaching as well
as student teaching experiences. These experiences will be systematically
distributed through Associate’s and Bachelor’s studies.
Title: Accelerated
Licensing Program for Early Childhood Professionals
Fiscal Institution: UW Oshkosh
Partners: Fox Valley Technical College
Abstract
Project Summary:
The project will plan for the development of an Accelerated Licensing
Program for early childhood professionals. This proposal will create
a non-traditional, seamless system of transfer, whereby early childhood
professionals completing an a
Associate’s degree within the Wisconsin Technical College
System transition into a Bachelor of Science in Education and teacher
licensure program at the UW Oshkosh. The project will coordinate
the competency based portfolio assessment systems to develop consistency
between institutions.
Title: Promoting
Seamless Transfer from the Technical College to the University
Fiscal Institution: UW Milwaukee
Partners: Gateway Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College
4C’s Community Coordinated Child Care
Abstract
Project Summary:
This planning proposal is to prepare for a system of transfer for
students who initially attend an Associate’s degree program
at a southeastern Wisconsin Technical College. Appropriate avenues
to ease the transfer process and to assure acceptance to the Bachelor’s
degree program at UW Milwaukee will be addressed by a faculty team
across institutions. The Milwaukee 4C’s will also conduct
focus groups to identify student needs, barriers, and potential
solutions.
Implementation
Grants
Title: NWTC/Edgewood
Early Childhood Education
Fiscal Institution: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Partners: Edgewood College
Abstract
Project Summary:
NWTC and Edgewood will partner to provide a seamless transition
of Early Childhood Education Associate Degree graduates to a junior
standing in the Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree
program. In order to ensure a seamless transition and allow access
for the greatest number of students, curriculum will be articulated
and the Bachelor Degree curriculum will be converted to an online
format.
Title: Early Childhood Special Education Collaborative Online Master’s
Program
Fiscal Institution: UW Milwaukee
Partners:
Wisconsin
Technical College System
Edgewood College
UW Eau Claire
UW Oshkosh
UW Stevens Point
UW Green Bay
UW River Falls
UW Whitewater
Abstract
Project Summary:
This project will improve access and availability to advanced course
work in early childhood special education and other fields. Twelve
faculty will develop an online master’s program by using existing
and new courses. Partnership with the Wisconsin Technical College
System will provide articulation for students and professional development
for WTCS faculty.
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