[LAP-news] unique instructional model for addressing shortage of K-12 teachers at Point Park

[Mark Rauterkus]

Can something similar be done with swim coaches and swim instructors?


https://www.prweb.com/releases/point-park-university-bloomboard-partnership-takes-on-pa-teacher-shortage-with-innovative-degree-program-301963997.html?mc_cid=3982e88227&mc_eid=026f545a54


Aspiring teachers work toward degrees while working in school systems

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- BloomBoard,
<https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4002954-1&h=1005918445&u=https%3A%2F%2Fbloomboard.com%2F&a=BloomBoard%2C>
a
leading Pennsylvania-based talent development provider for K–12 school
districts, today announced a groundbreaking partnership with Point Park
University, a dynamic and growing Pittsburgh-based university and statewide
leader in educator preparation, to address the pressing teacher shortage in
Pennsylvania and across the country.

This alliance has the potential to bridge the gap between higher education
and K–12 schools by creating new pathways for aspiring teachers already
working within the state's school systems. These, in turn, will increase
the supply of quality teachers within the state and beyond through more
accessible and relevant degree programs.

"By forging strong collaborations with partners like Point Park, we aim to
begin breaking down the barriers to educator advancement and building a
more diverse and well-equipped teacher workforce for the future of children
across the state," said Sanford Kenyon, CEO of BloomBoard.
Post this

"Two pillars of our new strategic plan are innovation and providing more
diverse learners with access to higher education. This partnership
exemplifies both of them," said Dr. Chris W. Brussalis, president of Point
Park University. "Our School of Education
<https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4002954-1&h=805190835&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pointpark.edu%2Facademics%2Fschools%2Feducation%2Findex&a=School+of+Education>
has
long been doing incredible work in teacher education and certification, so
this partnership is a natural extension of what we do here."

Initially, Point Park University and BloomBoard will offer an on-the-job
Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, targeted to be available beginning
in Spring 2024. This program will be offered to educator learners through
their school district employers and Intermediate Units, who will provide
financial and logistical support to cohorts of educator learners who enroll
in the program.

This unique instructional model will allow participants to earn degree
credit while they work in actual classrooms, making higher education more
accessible to community members within districts and affordable to aspiring
teachers who have faced barriers in a traditional system.

Future potential plans for the partnership include the launch of an
on-the-job based Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, on-the-job
based master's degree programs designed for alternative certification for
candidates with non-education bachelor's degrees, and accelerated
associate's degree programs to align more general education content with
the demands of teaching.

In the 2022-23 school year, a record number of 9,587 Pennsylvania teachers
chose to leave their positions, as reported in a May 2023
<https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4002954-1&h=2050902621&u=https%3A%2F%2Fed.psu.edu%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Finline-files%2Fceepa-research-brief-2023-6-_-exacerbating-the-shortage-of-teachers-ed-fuller-1.pdf&a=May+2023>
study
by the Penn State Center for Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis. This
surge in departures led to a 1.5 percent increase in the attrition rate
compared to the previous school year, marking the most significant rise
observed over the past decade.

Adding to this concerning trend, data
<https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4002954-1&h=2465926456&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.education.pa.gov%2FDataAndReporting%2FPages%2FAct82.aspx&a=data>
from
the Pennsylvania Department of Education revealed a substantial decline of
nearly 72 percent in in-state teacher certifications from the 2012-2013
school year to 2021-2022. The Department has worked hard to balance
increased flexibility while maintaining the high-quality standards known
for teachers in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Andria Saia, executive director of the Harrisburg-area's Capital Area
Intermediate Unit 15, who has been a champion in finding solutions to
bolster the state's teacher pipeline, shared, "There is so much demand for
the programs that will quickly stem from the BloomBoard-Point Park
University partnership. Pennsylvania's forward-thinking intermediate units
and school districts are hungry for more options to address the teacher
shortage in a scalable, equitable way. This work will help to increase the
impact, and ultimately provide a quality education to more Pennsylvania
 students."

"We are particularly proud of this new partnership with Point Park
University to advance groundbreaking career advancement pathways for
greater numbers of aspiring teachers," said Sanford Kenyon, CEO of
BloomBoard. "By forging strong collaborations with partners like Point Park,
we aim to begin breaking down the barriers to educator advancement and
building a more diverse and well-equipped teacher workforce for the future
of children across the state."

Those employed in a school who are interested in the program should contact
their district administrator about participation. District administrators
looking for additional information should email
lauren.patterson at bloomboard.com.

About Point Park University
Point Park University, immersed in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh,
focuses on student success through innovative experiential learning
opportunities. Point Park enrolls about 3,300 students in over 100
undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs offered through its
Conservatory of Performing Arts, Rowland School of Business, and schools of
Arts and Sciences, Communication, and Education. The University's alumni
and students represent all 50 states and 34 countries around the world.
Visit PointPark.edu to learn more.

About BloomBoard
BloomBoard is a talent development provider that enables K–12 school
districts to grow, advance, and retain educators by making professional
education a benefit of employment. We offer turnkey programs for school
districts to move educators forward at all points of their professional
journey. Our platform connects districts to higher education institutions
that offer certification and degree programs using a unique, on-the-job
instructional model. We help to assess needs, build and implement plans,
and celebrate educator success. Visit http://www.bloomboard.com
<https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4002954-1&h=2341090216&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomboard.com%2F&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomboard.com>
to
learn more.

*Media Contact*

BloomBoard, BloomBoard, 5748500483, madison at cblohm.com,
https://bloomboard.com/
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