Nearly $2 Million Available to Support Teacher Prep Programs at HBCUs

During the 2021 appropriations process, Congress created the Center of Educational Excellence for Black Teachers program to support one or more model centers of educational excellence at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  These model centers would be focused on increasing the number of well-prepared Black teachers who teach in elementary and secondary schools.

The Department of Education is now inviting applications from HBCUs with state-recognized teacher preparation programs to apply for the funding awards. Applications are due November 29, 2021.  According to the Department, this program focuses on the “various aspects of the teacher preparation pipeline, including the recruitment, preparation, support, and placement of Black teachers.”

The application process contains one absolute priority and three competitive preference priorities listed below. This is a discretionary grant program, and the overall amount available to be awarded is $1,980,000. The Federal Register notice includes the requirements for applicants and information on how to apply.  

• Absolute priority
  • Projects that are evidence-based comprehensive teacher preparation programs.
• Competitive preference priorities
  • Increasing the number of well-prepared Black male teachers (up to 10 points).
  • Increasing the number of teachers with full certification in a teacher shortage area (up to 5 points).
  • Increasing postsecondary education access for undergraduate students seeking to become teachers (up to 5 points).

For more information, please contact:
Emmanual Guillory