He who opens a school door, closes a prison.

~Victor Hugo

Program Timeline

Brief History

The Teacher Preparation Initiative is a 10-year initiative involving 14 higher education institutions across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.  The initiative is supported by the Bush Foundation who awarded $40.5 million and formed the Network for Excellence in Teaching (NExT) to re-envision teacher preparation.  A crucial part of the Bush Foundation’s goal in the next 10 years is to increase by 50 percent the number of students in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, from pre-kindergarten to college, who are on track to earn a degree after high school, and eliminating disparities among diverse student groups.

The Teacher Preparation Initiative will strengthen St. Cloud State University's teacher preparation programs through a strong, active partnership with Arts and Science faculty, Education faculty and P-12 school districts.

2009

• SCSU applies for and receives the Bush Foundation Grant.

2010

• Partner Districts join, organizational structure is determined, & 5 TPI Working Groups are formed.

2011

• Work begins to revise teacher preparation through the following working groups: Recruit, Prepare, Support, Assessment, and Technology.

2012

• First teacher candidates enter the new TPI teacher preparation programs.

2016

• First TPI teacher candidates graduate and apply for teaching positions.

2017-2020

• SCSU & District support new TPI teachers begins with targeted professional development programs.