The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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New Era Initiative will assist secondary education

Daily Sundial

Members of the Teachers of a New Era are examining new methods and directions to support children with learning differences in an ongoing program.

Last week a Math and Science Initiative was approved and $40,000 was granted for the project by the CSU, said Rusche.

The $5-million dollar project, which began three years ago, is designed to strengthen teaching in K-12 schools by creating effective university programs at schools of education.

CSUN was chosen along with 11 other schools to be part of the project, said Arlinda Eaton, Associate Dean of the Michael D. Eisner College of Education. Eaton said she considers it to be a privilege for the school to be recognized.

“To be selected out of those [schools] is an honor,” said Eaton. “I’m very energized and excited.”

“It’s great,” said Eaton. “It’s been a terrific activity.”

Since it’s inception, challenges and praise for the TNE project has been forthcoming,

“Our initiative is to improve pupil learning in the K-12 sector by making sure that all components are researched and examined as effective as can be,” said Philip Rusche, dean of the Michael D. Eisner College of Education.

Rusche, Co-Associate Project Director, says the TNE project works with local schools and universities to enable a stronger teaching ethic within the school system.

“The Early Assessment Program works with local schools to identify the strengths and weaknesses of high school kids in mathematics and English,” Rusche said. “There’s an absolute desperate need for math and science teachers.”

There are a number of initiatives that are components of the TNE project at CSUN, he said, which include the Center for Teaching and Learning Project and the Reading First Project.

The Center for Teaching and Learning Project looks at new methods and directions in support of children with learning differences.

“It enhances student learning and how we can enable every kid to learn,” said Rusche.

The Reading First Project is a reading comprehension initiative targeted at the K-3 elementary school level to improve reading instruction and achievement.

Dr. Hillary Hertzog, associate professor of Elementary Education, who is involved with the work around the Engagement of Arts and Sciences, said she is excited about the project.

“We’ve intensified our efforts to analyze the subject matter in preparation of future teachers, and to make sure that we continuously improve whenever possible their depths of subject matter,” said Hertzog.

TNE is a five-year-project funded primarily by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation and the Annenberg foundation.

The Carnegie Corporation of New York is a foundation, which was created in 1911 by Andrew Carnegie, a philanthropist.

The design of the project is divided into three principles. Principle A looks at how decision-making can be informed by evidence that a candidate can improve in K-12 student achievement, said Hertzog.

“The direction is more on how pupils learn and what pupils are learning,” said Rusche.

Hertzog describes Principle B as analyzing and redesigning the subject matter so that future teachers are well-prepared in their material.

Principle C pertains to the K-12 sector. Its goal is to design the most relevant field experiences so that future teachers can be as successful as possible in improving student achievement, Hertzog explained.

The fact that CSUN was selected means that it is considered a national leader in education and is outstanding as a university, said Rusche.

Nia Guleyon can be reached at city@csun.edu.

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