Creating and strengthening inclusive models of educator preparation programs
Exploring and incentivizing innovative practices
Developing collaborative partnerships across the P20 continuum
Identifying and responding to critical personnel needs
With a focus on Ohio’s system of preparation and ongoing personnel development, the Ohio Deans Compact serves as a forum for bridging theory to practice for educators. Working with deans, assistant deans, faculty, district and school leaders, professional association representatives, national partners, state leaders, regional personnel, and others, the Compact provides a channel for the examination of ideas around inclusive pedagogy and the development and implementation of innovative models of preparation. We believe that when we scale this work through teacher preparation and leadership programs, we are able to serve more educators—teachers, administrators, and related services personnel—which ultimately leads to greater reach and impact for all Ohio students.
The Inclusive Preparation Program Redesign Guide, developed by Dr. Kristall Day with support from the Compact’s Impact Evaluation Committee members, is available for Ohio IHEs interested in development more inclusive teacher preparation programs.
Fostering a culture of innovation helps to promote new ideas and to rethink ways to address current barriers to higher levels of learning. As a way to explore and incentivize promising practices to redesign educator preparation programs, the Ohio Deans Compact awards grants through the Incentive Grant (IG) Program. Using a competitive request for application (RFA) process, Ohio institutions of higher education can apply for funding to redesign their educator preparation programs.
Ensuring educators are equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and dispositions to support all learners is essential. The reality is that there is a longstanding gap in the availability of qualified providers to teach and support learners, particularly those with low incidence sensory disabilities. The gap is even more prevalent in hard-to-staff regions of the state. Unfortunately, these personnel shortages can limit opportunities for learning. To explore ways to address these critical needs, the Ohio Deans Compact has identified a funding priority area focused on preparation and personnel development in sensory impairment and established the Low Incidence Sensory Disability (LISD) Collaborative.
The work to improve and strengthen Ohio’s system of educator preparation and personnel development cannot be done alone—it takes partners from across the state and country that span the P20 continuum. Over the years, the Ohio Deans Compact has served as a connector and convenor across higher education, PK12 districts and schools, professional associations, and regional and state agencies. As a result, we have fostered a diverse community that believes that when we work together, we bring new ideas and perspectives that benefit our collective thinking, practices, and work. Embracing a culture of collaboration and developing strategic partnerships have been the foundation of our work, growth, and impact.
