Sherman Secures $570,000 For CSUN Programs

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brad Sherman announced that Congress has approved $570,000 in federal appropriations funding for two programs at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) – one to train teaching professionals in new techniques and the other to introduce children to the performing arts.  

The funding is included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2009, which passed the Senate today and now heads to President Obama for his signature.

"These funds are critical to our efforts at California State University, Northridge to break new educational ground and provide rich educational opportunities that reflect and incorporate the diversity of our surrounding community. We thank Congressman Sherman for his dedicated service to the Valley and to our mission," said Cal State Northridge President Jolene Koester.

CSUN has become a leader nationally in developing new approaches in teaching teachers. The TLC (Teaching, Learning, Counseling) Model will receive $285,000 for a one-year demonstration project to develop and implement a new clinical training model to assist new teachers. This program promotes a “transdisciplinary” model, combining teaching, learning and counseling. The TLC model is expected to prepare better teachers and school counselors to work collaboratively and support the needs of those children who are at risk of being left behind.

The K-12 Arts Education Program also received funding, in the amount of $285,000. These funds will be used to provide live performance experiences and performing arts instructional programs in dance, symphony, popular music, theatre, and opera, for promising students enrolled in Title I public and charter schools in the San Fernando Valley. The program will be administered by California State University, Northridge, under the joint auspices of staff assigned to its new Center for the Performing Arts, the College of Education, and the College of Arts Media and Communication.

“These funds demonstrate the Congress’s continued commitment to ensuring that the next generation of Valley school children have opportunities to learn and grow,” said Congressman Sherman. “Our communities need more and better qualified teachers, and they benefit from a curriculum that exposes students to creative and artistic expression.”