Video of Congressman Sherman in Action
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) announced that California State University, Northridge (CSUN) was awarded nearly $8.5 million in federal funding over five years to improve the teacher quality and student achievement for students with disabilities in high-need schools. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education through the Teacher Quality Partnership program.
This project addresses the critical shortage of qualified special education teachers who are prepared to serve in high-need schools. The project is a partnership between the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the Colleges of Education and Humanities at California State University, Northridge. The program will recruit a total of 150 special education teachers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, prepare them to serve children with disabilities in high-need schools, and evaluate the impact of the project on new teachers and their students. The program will offer an 18-month credential or master’s degree residency program in Special Education, and a 2-year induction program.
“Cal State Northridge is nationally recognized for its exemplary programs to prepare highly qualified teachers and develop partnerships with high-need schools,” said Congressman Sherman. “Once again, CSUN stands at the forefront in teacher preparation and training and improving student achievement in our local schools.”
“California State University, Northridge is proud to be an institution working to reform teacher education through teacher residency programs,” said CSUN President Jolene Koester. “This grant is a strong statement of support for the great work happening on the Cal State Northridge campus and in our partner schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The program will not only provide positive outcomes for our region, but also produce outcomes that could help inform teacher residency programs across the nation.”
Congressman Sherman has secured nearly $2.4 million in federal appropriations funding for a variety of programs and projects at Cal State Northridge, including teacher education and arts education programs, as well as funding for the construction of the Valley Performing Arts Center and an on-campus transit center.
