Western Governors U Joins National Network To Grow STEM Teaching Force
Western Governors University has been
selected as a partner in 100Kin10, a
national network that aims to train 100,000 science, technology, engineering and
math (STEM) teachers over 10 years.
According to information from WGU, the university went through a "rigorous
vetting process" before being selected to join the organization. The 100Kin10
partner reviewers were "looking for organizations that bring innovation,
boldness and a proven track-record to their commitment(s) toward expanding,
improving and retaining the best of the nation's STEM teaching force," according to WGU.
WGU is a nonprofit online university offering bachelor's and master's degrees
in education, including degrees leading to teacher licensure. According to the
university, it is "the first online teachers college to earn accreditation from
the National Council for Accreditation of
Teacher Education (NCATE)." The majority of the WGU Teacher College's
bachelor's and master's degree programs are in the areas of math and science
education and are geared toward training new and practicing classroom teachers.
The 100Kin10 project launched in 2011 with the goal of providing all students
with the STEM knowledge and skills needed for success in college and the
workforce. The initiative has already recruited and prepared 12,412 STEM
teachers and expects that number to grow to nearly 37,000 by 2016, halfway into
the project's 10-year timeline. The 100Kin10 project consists of nearly 75
partner organizations, including universities and school districts, as well as
federal agencies, states, museums, corporations, nonprofits and foundations.
Other partner universities include the
University of Arizona, UCLA,
Michigan State University, the
University of Chicago and others.
Further information about the 100Kin10 project can be found on the
organization's site.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].