4-3-97  

Wright State University's College of Education and Human Services has been formally involved in the ongoing process to bring about systemic change in preK-Higher education since January, 1992 with the inauguration of Partners Transforming Education. The identified goal of Partners Transforming Education is to prepare more effective teachers to create exemplary schools in the metropolitan Dayton area through "simultaneous renewal".

The concept of the "simultaneous renewal" of the preK-12 sector and teacher education is integral to Partners Transforming Education. Too often those outside of public education and of teacher preparation attempt to diagnose what is wrong with the schools and what is lacking in the preparation of teachers. As opposed to this approach, members of Partners Transforming Education are committed to working together as partners on mutually-defined areas of needed improvement for all. No partnership can exist where only one partner grows and benefits. As Goodlad (1994) emphasized in Educational Renewal: Better Teachers, Better Schools , working together must be mutually advantageous.

Wright State University's College of Education and Human Services has committed itself to the goal of making a "quantum leap" toward excellence in the "Education of Educators" by the year 1999. The requested funds will be used to implement portions of the goals of National Network for Educational Renewal (NNER) related to WSU's Partners Transforming Education (PTE) initiative.

This proposal requests assistance in expanding the partnership between the Dayton Public Schools(specifically, E.J. Brown Elementary School) and Wright State University. The overall purpose of this more extensive partnership with Dayton Public Schools is to simultaneously meet the educational needs of urban children and preparing teachers who possess the attitudes, values and skills necessary for teaching in an urban environment. E.J. Brown Elementary School, a partner site with Wright State University since 1988, provides a laboratory experience for E.J. Brown Elementary School students, E.J. Brown Elementary School teachers, Wright State University teaching interns, and Wright State University professors.

Seminars will be conducted with faculty from Wright State University and Dayton Public Schools who wish to be involved in the project. The purpose of the seminars

Seminars will be conducted with faculty from Wright State University and E.J. Brown Elementary School fourth and fifth grade teachers. The purpose of the seminars will be to provide technology training of the E.J. Brown Elementary School teachers in using specified computer applications and in using the World Wide Web. It is clear that a growing disparity exists in public school education in terms of technology. The mandated purpose of this grant is to offer children at E.J. Brown Elementary School the enrichment of modern education technology. Wright State University faculty will update E.J. Brown Elementary School teachers in educational technology, the World Wide Web, and specifically update technological skills in reading, language arts, social studies, math, science, and the fine arts.