The Denver Metro
Teacher Preparation Partnership

Since 2002 the Colorado legislature has worked on passing legislation to bolster the preparation of our state’s K-12 teachers. Among the new legislation mandates are sweeping changes in teacher education and licensure. Changes also include pre-service teachers being required to complete eight hundred hours of classroom internships and completing their undergraduate studies in a maximum of four years. The new legislation requires an overhaul of teacher preparation programs resulting in the integration of pedagogical methods in four-year content degrees.

Responding to this legislation, Red Rocks Community College (RRCC), the Jefferson County School District (JeffCo) and the University of Colorado at Denver (UCD) have created an alliance called the Denver Metro Teacher Preparation Partnership (DMTPP). The DMTPP’s purpose is to increase the number of certified teachers with degree credentials in mathematics and the sciences and demonstrable competencies in the integration of technological tools in classroom instruction. The following strategic objectives have been identified to achieve the desired outcome of the DMTPP:

• Recruitment of Prospective Teachers
• Teacher Educator Development
• Pre-Teaching Experiences

Project Successes:

Red Rocks Community College implemented a new Teacher Education program in coordination with the DMTPP partners in the fall of 2002. As of October 2002, there were 33 students enrolled in the new classes, which include Introduction to Education and Math for Elementary Education Majors. Incorporated within the Introduction course are 30 hours of K-12 field-based experience in JeffCo. The math course also includes a service-learning project at a JeffCo elementary school.

Red Rocks Community College is also developing articulation agreements with various four-year institutions in Colorado and approvals are anticipated by December 2002. Additionally, RRCC and UCD are cooperatively developing a math and science curriculum, which will lead to secondary endorsements.

Dissemination:

• Web site highlighting the Teacher Education program and the DMTPP grant.
• Flyers about the teacher education program.
• Recruitment meetings with JeffCo teachers and students.

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