HBCUs to receive $4.5 million for teacher education - Washington Update - historically Black colleges and universities - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, Oct 9, 2003 by Ben Hammer

Historically Black colleges and universities will receive assistance in the form of a $4.5 million grant to prepare future teachers on how to teach reading based on scientifically proven instruction methods.

U.S. Secretary of Education Roderick Paige made the announcement last month at an event to kick off the annual National HBCU Week conference in Crystal City, Va. The grant was made to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Excellence (NCATE).

The Reading First Teacher Preparation Network will enhance teacher programs in reading by working with colleges and universities to align their reading instruction programs with effective research-based practices.

"This initiative will allow reading professors from 25 institutions to participate in the best training available on scientifically based reading instruction, which will help ensure that their students--who are our future teachers--have a solid foundation," Paige said.

President Bush proclaimed Sept. 14-20 as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.