The West College of Education at Midwestern State University was notified this week

Almost $1.5 million will be distributed over the next five years for the "Structuring a Unique Collaboration for Career Enhancement and Student Success" (SUCCESS) partnership. The program will assist the teacher shortage by providing shorter routes to certification for highly qualified paraprofessionals, mid-career professionals or recent college graduates. The primary focus of SUCCESS is the recruitment, training, support and retention of 45 highly qualified paraprofessionals and 20 mid-career adults. Each of these individuals will make a 3-year commitment to teach special education, bilingual/ESL, math or science at a high-need campus in Wichita Falls ISD, Graham ISD, Vernon ISD or Burkburnett ISD. The identification of the paraprofessionals will be completed this fall with the four partner school districts. The mid-career adults will be identified in the Alternative Certification Program at Region 9 Education Service Center or the post baccalaureate program at MSU. The grant will provide scholarships for the participants, as well as monies for the independent school districts for substitute teachers and mentors. Training and coursework, scheduled to begin in January 2003, will be provided by Region 9 Education Service Center, Vernon College and MSU. Grant W. Simpson, Dean of the West College of Education at Midwestern State University, is the project director. The majority of the funds will be used for student support consisting of tuition, books, expenses and/or stipends for 65 students enrolled annually in SUCCESS. 10/10/02