Several important figures showed up at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday to witness Ball State University and Ivy Tech Community College entering into an agreement to train more teachers.
Several senators and legislators, along with superintendent of public instruction Tony Bennett watched as Ball State President Jo Ann Gora and Ivy Tech President Thomas Snyder signed an agreement that would allow graduates of Ivy Tech's education program to transfer to Ball State.
Students who complete an Associate of Science degree in elementary education at any of Ivy Tech's 23 campuses can receive up to 62 credit hours after transferring to Ball State, according to a press release. The agreement is effective July 1.
Teachers College dean John Jacobson said he's ecstatic that the pact was signed because he's been pushing it for a long time. He said it will allow a lot of people to pursue a Ball State degree who otherwise may not be able to.
The program will provide more teachers and para-professionals, people working as teacher aides, the opportunity to earn a teaching license. Giving para-professionals the chance to get a degree also will allow them to stay in the communities they have worked in and know well.
Kevin Burke, director of university communications, said education is a "needy" field; it can always use more qualified teachers.
"It's a continuation of a long-standing relationship between Ball State and Ivy Tech for the betterment of the economy," Burke said.
One of the initiative's goals is to help people earn a degree who aren't in a position to do it in the traditional way by including the use of online courses.
"It's about removing barriers and taking advantage of technology in particular," he said.
The online component of the program will be developed this year by Teachers College faculty, Jacobson said. Graduate students in the education program have had access to some online courses for a few years, but this will be the first opportunity for undergraduates to complete teaching curriculum online.
"It will be wonderful in that we are broadening our programming to undergraduates," he said.
More than 2,000 Ivy Tech students have transferred more than 38,000 credit hours to Ball State since 2002, according to a press release. This is the 12th agreement between the two institutions.
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