FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
STEPHENVILLE, Texas—Tarleton State University is one of seven universities selected to help Jacksonville State University (JSU) Partners expand the Collaborative Regional Education (CORE) Initiative.
Funded by an $11.67-million grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2013, CORE is aimed at transforming K-12 and higher education through innovative technology and teaching methods. In efforts to expand CORE, JSU Partners will conduct a rigorous research study of approximately 40 classrooms in eighth through 12th grades across the nation.
The study begins with the 2016-2017 academic year and continues through the following school session.
“I am very pleased that Tarleton has the opportunity to participate in this grant,” said Dr. Jordan Barkley, dean of the College of Education. “It is no secret that funding in education is problematic. Placing technology into the hands of teachers and students in rural schools is one thing, but doing so and being part of a national study to better inform our potential implementation of 21st century learning strategies allows us to be part of the solution.”
As a partner university, Tarleton will share CORE with 10 area teachers selected for the study. Teachers will receive $1,000 in classroom funds for instructional materials and a MacBook Air computer.
In addition, teachers chosen to participate in the experimental group will receive $2,100 in technology funds, 21 iPad 3s (one for the teacher and a class set of 20 to remain at the school), paid travel to the CORE Academy conference for professional development, additional free professional development throughout the study and stipends for substitute teacher pay when necessary.
“I am so excited to work with each of the local school districts who participate in the CORE study,” said Julie Ward, assistant professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Tarleton. “CORE not only puts additional technology in the hands of teachers and students in rural areas but also strengthens Tarleton’s partnership with area schools.”
Other universities selected as JSU Partners are Fayetteville State University, University of North Carolina, Savannah State University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock and West Texas A&M.
For more information on CORE, visit www.corepartners.org or email corepartners@jus.edu.
Tarleton, a member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. With campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
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Contact: Julie Ward — Assistant Professor of Curriculum & Instruction
254-968-9818
jward@tarleton.edu
