The Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ at Lafayette is one of two state universities that will guide teacher preparation research in the state.
UL Lafayette and LSU have each been awarded a $25,000 grant by the state’s Department of Education to lead the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Educator Research Consortium for five years.
In January, the two institutions will direct research, seek grants and offer advice on education-related policies. It will include members of teacher preparation programs from across the state.
"This innovative and pioneering consortium will serve as a hub for research on teacher preparation methods and policies," said state Superintendent of Education John White.
The Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Educator Research Consortium is being established after a directive from the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in October.
Dr. Joseph C. Rallo, state commissioner of higher education, said he looks forward to working with the consortium “to continue Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ's leadership role in elevating the preparation of our educators (and) ensuring the success of our Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs."
UL Lafayette and LSU were chosen after a review process by a committee of representatives from the Department of Education, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Board of Regents and the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Association for Career and Technical Education.
Dr. Peter Sheppard, head of UL Lafayette’s Department of Educational Curriculum and Instruction, said the consortium will provide “a scholarly premise to policies associated with preparation of teachers.â€
This news comes as the UL Lafayette College of Education plans to relaunch a lab school at the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ. The project was approved by Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ System Board of Supervisors earlier this year.
In addition to an innovative learning environment for Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs, the new lab school will provide a hub for teaching practices, theory and research.
Learn more about state at the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Department of Education website.
Learn more about UL Lafayette’s proposed lab school in the digital edition of La Louisiane, the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ magazine.