Preparing Tomorrows Teachers to use Technology, PT³:

California State University, Long Beach and Cerritos College were awarded a $1,291,821 PT3 grant over a period of four years to “implement specific teacher preparation improvements, ” by the U.S. Department of Education. Of this, approximately $150,000 will come directly to Cerritos College. Across the nation 127 colleges and universities were awarded the PT3 grant, as part of the Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology program. These grants will support teacher preparation improvements in virtually every state and region across the country, with a focus on improving the use of technology in teaching in low-income communities and rural areas, and among minority groups and special populations.

Just over a year ago, CSULB and Cerritos began a partnership, which launched the Teacher TRaining ACademy (Teacher TRAC) at Cerritos College. Teacher TRAC gives future K-8 teachers an opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree and multi-subject teaching credential in four calendar years. A special feature of Teacher TRAC is educational technology courses that help to enhance a K-8 teacher’s ability and technology-proficiency in the classroom.

Preparing technology-proficient educators to meet the needs of 21^st century learners has emerged as a critical challenge facing teacher preparation programs across the country. Federal, state and local agencies are investing billions of dollars to equip schools with computers and modern communications networks. “In recognition of the urgent need for technology-proficient educators, the Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology, (PT3), initiative awarded 75 million dollars in grants to support the transformation of teacher preparation programs into 21^st century learning environments,” commented PT3 Director Tom Carroll.

Funded under the PT3 grant programs, the 127 grantees are joining forces with more than 900 partners across the country, including colleges and universities, elementary and secondary schools, community based organizations, and technology companies. “It is essential for grantees at these various levels to collaborate, with each other and with the field of teacher preparation programs at large, to build strong strategies for improving the technology proficiency of future teachers,” added Carroll.

According to U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley, “Well-prepared teachers are the most valuable resource a community can provide to its young people and the greatest need for technology-proficient educators is among the low-income communities and rural areas still combating a digital divide,” he noted. “These grants aim to ensure that classrooms are staffed with teachers who can help students use these powerful learning tools to succeed in school and prepare for careers in the 21^st century.”

Cerritos College and CSULB are excited to receive this grant for the continued development and success of their partnership. “Receiving the PT3 grant from the Department of Education will allow us to enhance our Teacher TRAC program to produce teachers with an excellent background in educational technology,” commented PT3 grant Director and Co-director of Teacher TRAC Professor Cheryl Shimazu. “Our Teacher TRAC faculty will be able to model a technology rich curriculum for our students, and we hope that our future educators will become teachers who use technology in their classrooms as easily as they use chalk and a chalkboard.”

U.S. Department of Education, PT3 Website