USC administrators encourage quality teacher
education program
Pueblo -- Administrators from the University of Southern Colorado
attended a conference in Washington, D.C., recently, for universities with
strong teacher preparation programs. Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs Barbara Montgomery and Associate Dean of Education Victoria Marquesen
participated in the Fall 2002 meeting of The Renaissance Group - a consortium of
more than 30 universities across the nation that share information about their
teacher education programs. USC has been a member of The Renaissance Group since
1999.
The theme of the conference was No Teacher Left Behind and focused on
efforts members of The Renaissance Group (TRG) are doing to enhance K-12
education in low-performing schools in their regions. Key speakers at the
conference were: Dr. Grover J. "Russ" Whitehurst, assistant secretary
for educational research and improvement, in the U.S. Department of Education's
Office of Educational Research and Improvement; Betty Castor, President of the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; Dr. Stu Silberman,
Superintendent of the Daviess County (KY) Public Schools; and Terri Rayburn,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional & Community Services, Office of
Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs in the U.S. Department of
Education.
Formed in May 1989, The Renaissance Group is a national consortium of colleges
and universities with a strong tradition of high-quality teacher education
programs and a major commitment to teacher education. The primary purpose is to
address issues facing teacher education and to be a proactive force in the
renewal and reform of education on a national level.
A unique feature of TRG is the requirement that the president, academic vice
president/provost, and the dean of each institution's college of education be an
active participant in TRG programs and activities. The leadership of university
presidents is seen as a critical component in any initiative aimed at affecting
the quality of teacher preparation programs.
For a complete listing of member schools and for additional information about
the Renaissance Group and its conference proceedings, visit their web site at www.emporia.edu/rengroup,
or call Dr. Leo Pauls, Executive Director of The Renaissance Group at 620-341-
5372 or 888-378-5433 toll free.
The University of Southern Colorado is a regional, comprehensive university
emphasizing professional, career-oriented and applied programs. Displaying
excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and
outreach, USC is distinguished by access, opportunity and the overall quality of
services provided to its students.
