Improving Teacher Quality (ITQ)

Overview

<p>The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) is the State Agency for Higher Education for Arizona. ABOR and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), working together, are authorized to use these funds for subgrants to competitive, eligible partnerships between an institution of higher education with a teacher preparation program; a Community college and private university programs wishing to participate in and/or benefit from this project are strongly encouraged to contact Maryn Boess as early as possible to discuss and coordinate your possible participation. </p> <p>Partnerships must focus on implementing professional development strategies that have been demonstrated by scientific research to be effective in increasing student academic achievement. Partnerships must use funds to conduct professional development activities in the core academic subjects to ensure that:</p> <ul> <li>Teachers, highly-qualified paraprofessionals, and principals have subject-matter knowledge in subjects hey teach (including knowledge of computer-related technology to enhance student learning); and/or</li> <li>Principals have the instructional leadership to help them work most effectively with teachers to help stu<span>dents master core academic subjects.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p><div>In selecting its ITQ grantees, ABOR takes very seriously its statutory responsibility to “support projects that will h<span>ave the greatest impact on helping Local Education Agencies – and particularly high-need LEAs – ensure that all <span>teachers are highly qualified and have the knowledge and teaching skills they need to help all students achieve to <span>high standards” (Item F-8, “Improving Teacher Quality State Grants – Non-Regulatory Guidance,” U.S. <span>Department of Education). </span></span></span></span></div> <div></div> <div>We <span>are soliciting proposals for projects falling </span><span>into two focus areas, or “tiers.” <span>Proposals for all Tier A and Tier B projects will be reviewed together on a competitive basis, with Tier A <span>proposals receiving priority in the process.</span></span></span></div> <ul> <li>Tier A: Current and Recent ITQ Projects – Expanding and Sustaining Success and <span>Impact. <span>Tier A awards support the extension and/or expansion of current ITQ projects or those that have <span>recently completed, with a strong focus on creating frameworks for sustaining the work of the project <span>beyond the project period. (See page 7 for details.)</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Tier B: New ITQ Projects – High-Need, High-Impact Initiatives</span>. <span>Tier B invites proposals for exceptionally strong new projects that are aligned with overall ITQ goals <span>and that specifically address a significant unmet need in Arizona’s K-12 education landscape in a <span>sustainable way.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p></p>