Today leaders at Austin Commmunity College and St. Edward’s University joined together in an agreement to identify prospective students interested in becoming public school math and science teachers. The articulation agreement was signed Wednesday, January 14 at Austin Commmunity College’s Eastview Campus, room 3221.

This agreement will enable both St. Edward’s and ACC to address the statewide teacher education shortage as part of their respective commitment to serve the educational needs of the state and the Central Texas Region.

Together, the two institutions will identify potential math and science teachers, provide them with more efficient and effective pathways for obtaining their baccalaureate degrees and appropriate state teacher certification.

Through the agreement, students who attend ACC in their freshman and sophomore years and successfully complete three teacher preparation courses can seamlessly transfer to a university such as St. Edward’s.

“Science literacy is important to our nation’s progress,” said George E. Martin, president of St. Edward’s University. “Our partnership will streamline the
process for ACC students to become certified teachers of secondary school life
sciences and mathematics. This will ensure that tomorrow’s students will learn from qualified teachers.”

“We are pleased to partner with St. Edward’s University to increase educational opportunities for future teachers,” said Dr. Stephen Kinslow, ACC
interim president. “ACC students who fulfill their lower division requirements will
be able to transfer to St. Edward’s with junior standing to the respective program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in one of three math or science disciplines.”

The agreement furthers the objectives of ACC’s GET SMART project, a $300,000 National Science Foundation grant designed to help prospective math and science teachers start their education at ACC and to complete their undergraduate degree to become certified teachers.

Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, St. Edward’s University has been named as one of America’s Best Colleges for 2004 by US News and World Report. St. Edward’s is a private Catholic, liberal arts university of approximately 4,450 students located in Austin, Texas.

ACC serves approximately 30,000 students at its 6 campuses throughout Central Texas.

For more information please contact ACC’s Cile Spelce at 223-7120 or Mia Allen at St. Edward’s at 448-8740.