Cal Poly’s School of Education (SOE) and the Lucia Mar Unified School District (LMUSD) have been awarded a $600,000 grant by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation to expand practice-based training for K-8 teacher candidates in how to implement California’s math and science standards. Cal Poly is one of 11 California State University campuses that received S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation grants.
In the first year of implementation, the grant has funded efforts to make substantial, systemic reforms across teacher preparation programs in the SOE, including multiple subject, single subject and special education. Specifically, SOE and LMUSD focused on building sustaining relationships between key personnel and refining the experiences of students in clinical placements. This work includes the implementation and refinement of a common observation tool, creation of learning modules to accompany fieldwork, creation of materials to support university supervisors in coaching adult learners, and a pilot online video platform to support distance supervision. Cal Poly’s efforts are led by Tanya Flushman and Leah Wood and supported by a number of their colleagues across SOE.
