PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The work of Prairie View A&M University’s (PVAMU) Whitlowe R. Green College of Education (WRGCOE) will be significantly amplified, thanks to a $1.5 million Houston Endowment grant. Predicted to be one of the largest grants in the college’s 141-year history, funds will go toward advancing the college’s Educator Preparation Program, which increases the number of qualified teachers of color and prepares them for long-term success.

“I am elated that Houston Endowment has chosen to support our efforts to raise the academic profile and promote an environment that is dedicated to quality improvement and student success,” said Michael McFrazier, Ed.D., dean of the WRGCOE. “The grant funds will help enhance the quality and distinctiveness of programs and services to best prepare students for careers as accomplished educational professionals.”

The grant is part of $20 million in Houston Endowment funds awarded to several Houston-area organizations committed to making racial equity and social justice in Houston a reality. PVAMU’s track record of advancing racial equity and justice aligns with Houston Endowment’s commitment to support organizations assessing systemic injustices in the region.

“PVAMU has a rich, historic legacy of producing diverse, resilient, and high-quality teacher educators to supply the needs of schools — not only in Texas — but across the nation,” Dean McFrazier said. “This legacy has been acknowledged and commended by the Texas Education Agency.”

Last year, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) recognized PVAMU’s Educator Preparation Program in two distinct areas: Preparing the Educators Texas Needs, which is the number of prepared teachers who identify as teachers of color; and Preparing Educators for Long-term Success, or encouraging teacher retention as a Texas public school professional for at least five years.

“Minority teacher representation is critical low nationally,” Dean McFrazier said. “Although the country is becoming more diverse each year and is expected to have a majority-minority population by 2044, the teaching force is not keeping up with the changing racial makeup of America’s youth. Fewer than 20 percent of teachers are minorities nationwide, and only two percent are black males.”

Currently, the WRGCOE offers three undergraduate degrees and 14 graduate degrees. Houston Endowment funds will enable the college’s faculty, staff, and administrators to design and implement programs and services to impact student learning, such as integrating state-of-the-art technology and the recruitment of first-time, full-time freshmen and community college transfer students.

“On average, the WRGCOE Educator Preparation Program produces 50 graduates each year who are hired in diverse school communities in Waller County, the Houston Metropolitan area, the state, the nation, and the world,” Dean McFrazier said. “Candidates are resilient and exceed the average length of time teachers stay in the field; that is, PVAMU teachers stay in the field longer. Our students are heavily recruited particularly because of their proficiency in working with diverse student populations.”

The Houston Endowment grant will support the college’s established priorities, including recruiting and producing teachers of color in high-need and critical shortage areas, providing instruction that is evidence-based and grounded in culturally responsive practices, employing and developing faculty that are knowledgeable and skilled, and fostering strong K-12 and community partnerships.

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