College of Education Partners with Area School Districts to Provide Early Access to Careers in Education
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University’s College of Education, in partnership with area high schools, is helping to create access to careers in education with a unique, dual enrollment program: the “KU Early College Academy for Education.”
The Early College Academy for Education is a new take on dual enrollment. High school students who have a general interest in working with children and education studies can attend classes on KU’s campus, where they will take two courses in the fall semester and two in the spring. The four courses count toward majors in education.
More than 40 students are slated to begin with the 2024 fall semester.
Classes are scheduled for half a day, two-to-three days a week, and by the end of the academic year, 12 credits could be earned. This gives students the opportunity to earn a semester’s worth of college credit. Students will be in a cohort to meet other potential college students, developing a sense of connection and community to support their transition to college.
“No child should be in a classroom without a teacher; thus, addressing the national teacher shortage requires new ways of schools and universities working together,” said Dr. Rebecca Burns, dean, College of Education. “The Early College Academy for Education stands as a viable and cost-effective solution that could serve as a model for the state and beyond. The work Kutztown University and our district partners are doing together through intentional partnerships is forward-thinking and illustrates how educational innovation is alive and thriving in Berks and Lehigh counties.”
Students enrolled in the academy will receive a significantly reduced tuition rate through the partnership. Students will be offered waived admission fee, additional support in enrolling in classes during the year and do not need to pursue a career in education.
"The Early College Academy for Education rises to Governor Shapiro’s challenge to ‘get things done,’” said Dr. Cathy Taschner, superintendent of Schuylkill Valley School District. “The program has created a distinct pathway into teacher education at the very time high school students are studying and considering career choices. The collaboration between Kutztown University and Berks and Lehigh County schools is providing a unique opportunity to develop the next generation of teachers through early recruiting from our very own high school classrooms; advanced and early entry into the College of Education courses; opportunities to apprentice with practicing teachers; and the eventual return to a classroom of their own as a certified educator. Public education has always been the foundation of our great county and has been instrumental in the development of future leaders. Programs like The Early College Academy for Education will continue to make that possible."
Benefits of the program include:
- Completion of a 12-credit college semester before high school graduation.
- Reduced tuition rate and admission fee waiver.
- Courses scheduled on the same days to minimize time lost in travel and maximize the on-campus experience.
- Classes taught by highly qualified Kutztown University faculty.
- Increased confidence for enrolling at a college or university.
- Improved scholarship opportunities.
- Growth in skills for success and retention once enrolled in college.
- Development of familiarity with the university community.
- Access to Rohrbach Library, KU Planetarium and STEAMWORKS – KU’s makerspace.
- Enhanced knowledge for decisions regarding future career options.
KU has signed agreements with 15 school districts to begin the academy starting in Fall 2024. School districts include:
- Antietam School District
- Brandywine Heights Area School District
- Daniel Boone School District
- East Penn School District
- Fleetwood Area School District
- Governor Mifflin School District
- Hamburg Area School District
- Kutztown Area School District
- Oley Valley School District
- Parkland School District
- Reading School District
- Schuylkill Valley School District
- Tulpehocken Area School District
- Twin Valley School District
- Wilson School District
Inquiries and interested districts should contact Burns at burns@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4300.