University and three local school districts receive grant to prepare a new generation of teachers

California State University, Fresno and Fresno, Central and Sanger Unified school districts have been awarded a $1.2 million grant by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation to expand practice-based training for new K-8 teachers in implementing the state’s math and science standards.

The Kremen School of Education and Human Development at Fresno State is Central California’s largest teacher preparation program. This grant, drafted by Dr. Cathy Yun and Dr. Lisa Bennett, will support a redesign of the teacher credential program while strengthening partnerships with local school districts. Fresno State is among 11 California State University (CSU) campuses earning S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation grants.

“We are committed to working in partnership with our local education leaders to improve educational achievement for every student in region,” said Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro. “Our goal is to prepare highly qualified new teachers for schools throughout the region, and together, we can achieve our ambitious plan.”

The grant will fund the establishment of clinical school sites. Cohorts of teacher credential students will work on site with both district-selected teachers-in-residence and Fresno State faculty-in-residence. This system is designed to support professional development and learning for both pre-service and in-service teachers.

Investments made by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation will expand the CSU’s New Generation of Educators Initiative (NGEI), an initiative focused on preparing highly qualified math and science teachers for the elementary and middle grades – the formative years in the educational pipeline that lay a foundation for students’ long-term success and college and career readiness.

“We applaud Fresno State and Fresno, Central and Sanger Unified school districts for this bold effort that will benefit students across the entire region for decades to come,” said Loren Blanchard, CSU executive vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs.

For more information on the NGEI, visit CSU New Generation of Educators.