The following organizations received grants:
$35,000
Support for a program called Teach and Affirm. The program will help establish a repository of good practices and will result in a more robust school leadership program to be conducted in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout NJ. Specifically, GSE plans to develop a more comprehensive suite of passable materials, online modules, trainings, and workshops that positively represent LGBT individuals across academic content areas and that promote diversity and inclusion.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
$30,000
Support for Maine teachers as they engage students in science writing. Findings from the Field is a first-of-its-kind online, open-source journal that publishes science articles that are written and peer-reviewed by middle school students. Support will allow GMRI to surround this unique journal with rich teacher professional development and curriculum materials to maximize student learning. Findings offers a rare and motivating opportunity for students to communicate authentic, relevant, compelling information to a variety of readers who have genuine interest, supported by a publication vehicle that represents the height of scientific achievement.
$35,000
Support for The University of Iowa (UI) Center for Assistive Technology Education and Research (ICATER) in collaboration with the UI Education Technology Center (ETC) to develop and pilot a new online course, Designing and Applying Accessible Digital Content. The aim of the course is to teach educators and preservice educators how to design and create inclusive/accessible educational materials and experiences for learners with disabilities. The proposed course will be piloted with preservice educators as an elective course in the College of Education. Participants in the first year will be surveyed, and their feedback used to update the course. Following the pilot year, the course will be shared across the University, with K-12 schools and other agencies so that accessibility can be taught to broad audiences. The course is needed so that P-16 instructors know how to plan for the diversity of learners in their classrooms, create materials that allow all students (including those with disabilities) access to the curriculum, integrate inclusive methods, and utilize accessible assessments. The proposed course will model Universal Design for Learning principles.