By Brent Lyday
Commerce – Texas A&M University-Commerce was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation to participate in a university-wide effort to improve teacher preparation in Texas schools. A&M-Commerce will participate with six other Texas universities in preparing a plan to implement findings of Sid Richardson report.
"This opportunity is an honor as we were selected by the Sid Richardson Foundation, no application was requested, they went to the universities they wanted to provide support," said Dr. Brent Mangus, A&M-Commerce dean of education and human services. "This will provide our university with a level of status' that will hopefully indicate to other universities we are doing great work all across our campus on teacher preparation."
A&M-Commerce will be attending planning meetings with other university personnel to determine ways to implement the report and assist universities in making a commitment to teacher preparation. The report notes that together, all leadership teams and partners will "creatively develop effective solutions to incorporate necessary improvements in teacher education."
"This is another indication that A&M-Commerce is one of the top universities in teacher preparation in the state," Mangus said. "Last year we received the STAR Award from the Texas Education Association for our partnership with Mesquite ISD and we have been one of the top producing teacher preparation programs in the state for decades. We are hopeful this will lead to future awards."
The Sid W. Richardson Foundation was established in 1947 by Sid W. Richardson to provide grants to nonprofit organizations in Texas to help them meet their goals. Grants are given primarily in education, healthcare, human services, and art.