IU to Establish Center on Teacher Quality

The deadline to submit full proposals is September 9.

A portion of a federally-funded $5 million State Personnel Development grant will allow Indiana University to establish a center that aims to increase the number of high-quality teachers serving students with disabilities. The Indiana Center on Teacher Quality will also seek to improve educational outcomes for those students.

The Center for Teacher Quality will be operated by IU’s Center on Education and Lifelong Learning and Center on Community Living and Careers. The university says the goals of the project are "grounded in the concept of educational equity for teachers and students."

The project aims to provide teachers with job-embedded professional development and improve recruitment, support and retention of teachers who teach students with disabilities. The center will also work to improve school transitions and post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.

"The Indiana Department of Education Office of Special Education is thrilled to announce its new partnership with the Centers on Education and Lifelong Learning and Community Living and Careers,” said Kristan Sievers-Coffer, educational consultant with the Indiana Department of Education. “Both centers combine the unique expertise and deep knowledge of working with schools and communities to welcome, include, educate and support all learners. They have an impressive history of principled, powerful and focused work with schools across Indiana. We are proud to be partnering with these outstanding leaders as we look to improve educational outcomes for all students.”

The project is being co-directed by Sandi Cole and Teresa Grossi, both of whom are adjunct professors in the IU School of Education.