Metropolitan Educational Training Alliance (META) | Center for Teacher Leadership, School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University
Program Description
Established in 2001, the Metropolitan Educational Training Alliance (META), a partnership among the Chesterfield County Public Schools, Hanover County Public Schools, Henrico County Public Schools, Richmond City Public Schools, and Virginia Commonwealth University, exists to enhance the professional development and training of teachers, administrators and other educational personnel in the respective school divisions. Current META projects include:
National Board Certification Candidate Support Program
- 104 teachers have achieved National Board Certification since the program's inception in September 2001.
- 72 candidates are seeking certification in the 2006-2007 META cohort.
- The META National Board Candidate Support Program has been selected as one of only 10 support programs in the nation to be featured on the National Board website as a resource for others.
Alternate Licensure Program for Special Education
- 42 paraprofessionals have participated in program since its inception in 2002.
- 35 paraprofessionals have been hired by the META school divisions as special education teachers.
- 3 program participants have been selected as "Teacher of the Year" for their schools.
META Teacher Development and Retention Project
- META received a $5.9 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to improve the preparation and retention of teachers in the metro-Richmond area. The project will:
- enhance the content knowledge of prospective teachers through creation of an interdisciplinary major for elementary teachers and the alignment of content courses in VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences with national and state standards;
- improve the teaching skills of preservice teachers by redesigning the education methods courses to better integrate theory and practice;
- ensure the consistency and quality of the clinical placements of preservice teachers by identifying and training a large pool of exemplary teachers to serve as VCU clinical faculty; and
- pilot a new induction model for beginning teachers in the highest need schools.
Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Planning & Assessment (ISLLC standard 3) and Instructional Leadership (ISLLC standard 1)
Program Goals and Objectives
META provides a framework for its partners to (1) identify needs and opportunities for collaborative professional development activities; (2) plan and to implement professional development activities; (3) share information and resources; and (4) seek additional resources necessary to carry out activities.
Program Format
The META Planning Council consists of the Directors of Staff Development of respective school divisions, the Special Assistant to the Dean of Education, the Coordinator of the College of Humanities and Sciences Teacher Education Programs, and the Directors of the Center for Teacher Leadership and the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium. The VCU Provost, Dean of the School of Education, and the Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences serve as ex officio members. The Planning Council meets on the second Thursday of each month from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to develop and oversee all META projects.
Target Audience
META projects have targeted teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and university faculty.
Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
Individuals may self-select to participate in some of the META projects. Most of the META projects are designed to address certain populations that are identified by the META school divisions.
Duration of Program
The META Planning Council meets on the second Thursday of each month from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to develop and oversee all META projects. META projects vary in length.
Outcomes Measured
Measured outcomes vary for each META project. The success of the META partnership can be measured by more than $6 million dollars of external funding that has been secured to carry out the various META projects. In addition, each year participation in META projects has expanded. For example, in 2001 there was only one National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in the metro-Richmond area. With the implementation of the National Board Certification Candidate Support System, META divisions now have 104 NBCTs and 72 candidates are going through the process in 2006-2007.
Program Evaluation
Each META project has its own program evaluation. Evaluation of the META partnership has not been done formally. However, the growing success of each META project in securing funds and participants provides evidence of the strength and effectiveness of the partnership.
Contact Information
Dr. Terry Dozier, Director
Center for Teacher Leadership
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education
P.O. Box 842020
Richmond, VA 23284-2020
804-827-0102
804-828-1323 (FAX)
tdozier@vcu.edu