July 10, 2001

Contact: Dr. Jan Bowers (509-963-2766/fax 509-963-2787/email: bowersj@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The U.S. Department of Education has announced that Central Washington University's Center for Teaching and Learning will receive a $1.23 million federal grant to enhance the use of technology in teacher preparation programs. CWU was one of just 89 institutions nationwide, and the only one in Washington, to receive federal funding.

"University faculty will partner with area school district teachers and university students to develop learning communities which will increase the use of technology in teacher preparation programs," Dr. Rebecca Bowers, dean of Central's College of Education and Professional Studies, explains.

During the three-year "Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology" project, the learning communities will be required to demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts, plan and design learning environments and implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize K-12 student learning, Bowers notes.

CWU will partner with the Ellensburg, Cle Elum-Roslyn, Selah, Zillah and Kennewick school districts in conducting the project activities. They are all members of the CWU Teacher Academy. Academy affiliates have high school programs designed to encourage and help teens who are interested in becoming teachers.

The project grant writers are Drs. Rick Unruh, professor of curriculum and supervision; Jan Bowers, chair of the department of family and consumer sciences; and Ray Riznyk, associate dean of graduate studies and research.