Sacramento State and Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) have been awarded a $900,000 grant by the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation to expand practice-based training for new K-8 teachers in implementing California’s math and science standards.

The grant represents a continuation of the long history of Sacramento State-SCUSD collaboration, which includes professional development for middle school math and science teachers, as well as STEM-focused elementary school teachers and Linked Learning Pathways at select SCUSD high schools.

Historically, SCUSD and Sacramento State have been key partners in producing new teachers for the region: More than 30 percent of Sacramento State’s credential candidates complete their clinical practice through SCUSD campus-district partnerships. Sacramento State is among 11 California State University (CSU) campuses earning the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation grants, which total $10 million.

“Our long- and short-term goal is to prepare highly qualified teachers for schools throughout the region, but especially for Sacramento City Unified School District,” said Sacramento State President Robert S. Nelsen. “Together we make formidable partners.”

The grant will focus on enriching Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards math instruction during clinical practice through improved mentor-teacher selection and training; redesigned professional learning experiences for mentor teachers and supervisors to support innovative co-teaching models; and aligned assessments that help participants make data-informed decisions about candidate progress and program improvement.

“We are grateful to Bechtel and excited to work with our terrific partners at Sacramento State on this critically important initiative,” said SCUSD Superintendent José L. Banda. “Our mission is to prepare every student for college and careers, and that means providing them with high-quality math and science instruction. Adding this new element to our partnership will move us forward in our mission.”

Investments by the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation will expand the CSU’s New Generation of Educators Initiative, focused on preparing highly qualified math and science teachers for the elementary and middle grades – the formative years in the educational pipeline that lay a foundation for students’ long-term success, and college and career readiness.

“We applaud Sacramento State and the SCUSD for this bold effort that will benefit students across the entire region for decades to come,” said Loren Blanchard, CSU executive vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs.

For more information on the NGEI, visit teachingcommons.cdl.edu/CSUNewGen.