Novato, California (September 12, 2018) – The Buck Institute for Education is accepting applications from colleges and universities through November 30, 2018, for the Out of the Gate project, a grant-funded project to prepare preservice educators to teach using Project Based Learning (PBL).
The Out of the Gate: Preparing Preservice Teachers to Use PBL through PBL project is made possible through the generous support of the ECMC Foundation. Through the application process, the Buck Institute will select one new Teacher Education Program (TEP) and school district partner/s for academic years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. A new TEP will join an existing cohort of three TEP-district partnerships led by Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI), Otterbein University (Westerville, OH), and University of Mary (Bismarck, ND). This opportunity provides TEP-district partnerships with the Buck Institute’s PBL professional services valued at more than $100,000 annually.
To learn more or to apply, visit: http://bie.org/x5cN
The Out of the Gate project promotes the use of high-quality PBL by faculty, preservice teachers, and cooperating teachers to increase access to PBL for all students, including students furthest from opportunity.
The selected Teacher Education Program will be notified by January 15, 2019. The new TEP-district partnership will participate in the project from February 2019 through July 2021.
“Most teachers don’t learn about PBL until after they’ve been in the classroom for a number of years. I often hear teachers ask, ‘Why didn’t I learn about PBL as an instructional approach while I was still in school,’” said Buck Institute Curriculum and Program Manager Megan Parry. “It’s a good question, and that is why we’re leading the Out of the Gate project. It’s the first time the Buck Institute has collaborated with higher education to reach faculty and preservice teachers. It’s been very exciting.”
Applicants should be Teacher Education Programs (TEPs) that can select 20-25 preservice teachers annually and 15-20 faculty members to participate in the project. TEPs will also be required to identify and select a district partner or small group of district partners to participate in the project, serving students who are furthest from opportunity (i.e., students of color, students living in poverty). District partners are required to engage a cohort of 20-25 cooperating teachers with experience or deep familiarity with PBL to participate in the Buck Institute’s PBL professional services and support preservice teachers as they use PBL with students in their student teaching placement.
The selection process will consider the demographics of the potential preservice teacher population as well as the student population of partner districts.
Selected TEP-district partners will engage in customized professional development (PD) and support from the Buck Institute, including a two-day customized PBL workshop, a three-day hands-on PD session, onsite support visits from Buck Institute trainers, an online coaching academy, a regional capstone event, and research and evaluation activities to measure results, including case study research.
About the Buck Institute for Education
At the Buck Institute for Education, we believe that all students—no matter where they live or what their background—should have access to quality Project Based Learning to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life. Our focus is to build the capacity of teachers to design and facilitate quality Project Based Learning and the capacity of school and system leaders to set the conditions for teachers to implement great projects with all students. For more information, visit www.bie.org
About ECMC Foundation
ECMC Foundation is a Los Angeles-based, nationally focused foundation whose mission is to inspire and to facilitate improvements that affect educational outcomes—especially among underserved populations—through evidence-based innovation. ECMC Foundation makes investments in two focus areas: College Success and Career Readiness; and uses a spectrum of funding structures, including strategic grant making and program-related investments, to invest in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Working with grantees, partners and peers, ECMC Foundation’s vision is for all learners to unlock their fullest potential. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting www.ecmcfoundation.org.
