Rowan program prepares teachers for urban schools

By Cynthia Henry

Inquirer Staff Writer

Rowan University's College of Education plans to immerse five graduate students in urban school districts next year, under a program similar to a medical residency.

"We graduate and certify a lot of English and history teachers who go back to teach where they went to school," said Jill Perry, associate dean. "In the tough disciplines - math, science, and Spanish - the numbers are a lot smaller."

The new master's degree program would target study toward those three disciplines in a year of supervised teaching at LEAP Academy University Charter School in Camden or a Camden or Bridgeton public school.

"By working opening to close, we hope students see how amazing it can be to work in an urban district," Perry said.

The residency will offer a "living wage" - about $30,000 - Perry said, which could appeal to career-change candidates who often cannot afford to quit a job to student-teach without pay.

The program will be funded through a $3.2 million federal grant, roughly a third of a five-year award split with William Paterson and Kean Universities. Together, the three universities, the Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality, will start 15 professional development schools statewide.

The New Jersey partnership was among 28 national grant recipients chosen from 175 applicants.

At Rowan, the five students will begin in January with six months of classroom preparation and field visits. At the completion of the program, graduates will earn a master's in education, as well as specialization in English as a Second Language or special education.

The grant also will increase urban field opportunities for undergraduates.

For information, call 856-256-4753.

Camden schools also are expected to benefit from a program at Rowan's Camden campus, Perry said. Twenty-seven students - most of them administrators, supervisors, or classroom teachers in Camden - started a three-year doctorate in education leadership. As part of their dissertations, they will conduct an "action" research project on a problem within a school and propose a solution.

"If they're all working on problems in Camden, this could have significance," Perry said.

Contact staff writer Cynthia Henry at 856-779-3970 or chenry@phillynews.com.

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Comments

Posted 07:54 AM, 11/02/2009

fmbjogger

It's called " Combat Pay".

Posted 08:59 AM, 11/03/2009

speakingoutloud

Let's not get it twisted people. The only difference in the kids in Camden is the fact that their school board, administrators and "leaders" do not have a clue. Their latest stupid idea to combine the High schools is just ridiculous. The only credibility they had was the Medical Arts and the Creative Arts schools. By combining them with the "high" they will loose that. What a bunch of idiots! Trying to save money that they will pay to their relatives in over the top salaries to do nothing!

Posted 12:41 PM, 11/03/2009

drphess04

Why is it that whenever a solution is proposed to help solve the problems with urban schools, all people do is complain? Do you want help or not? I've worked in urban schools my entire career, 30 years! There's a lot of good that goes on in urban districts and the inclusion of Rowan committing their efforts to a project such as this should garner applause, not disdain! This "whining" reminds me of that old adage, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem! Please give this program a chance.

Posted 05:05 PM, 11/03/2009

RandomX856

Good grief. Im an education major at rowan. i hope my name isnt picked for this.

Posted 05:19 PM, 11/03/2009

sharont

Temple University had a program like this 40 years ago. It was called Project Primesite. The purpose was to prepare teachers for working in inner city schools. It was a great five year program. It lasted one year. Like many progressive things that used to happen in Philly schools, it ended before the impact could be felt.