A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Office of Postsecondary Education

The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) formulates federal postsecondary education policy and administers programs that assist postsecondary education institutions and students who are pursuing postsecondary education.

Teacher Quality Partnership Grants

This program provides grants to partnerships among teacher preparation institutions and high-need school districts. To ensure that new teachers can meet the many challenges of today's classrooms, the partnerships work to strengthen teacher education through activities such as

• implementing reforms that hold teacher education programs accountable for preparing high-quality teachers;
• improving prospective teachers' knowledge of academic content through increased collaboration between faculty at schools of education and schools of arts and sciences;
• ensuring that teachers are well prepared for the realities of the classroom by providing strong hands-on classroom experience and strengthening links between university and K-12 school faculties; and
• preparing prospective teachers to use technology as a tool for teaching and learning and to work effectively with diverse students.
Ed Crowe, 202-502-7878
E-mail:ed.crowe@ed.gov

Teacher Quality Recruitment Grants

This recruitment initiative supports the efforts of states and school-university partnerships to reduce shortages of qualified teachers in high-need areas. Grant recipients offer scholarships, high-quality preparation and support services to prospective teachers who agree to teach in the high-need schools.

Ed Crowe, 202-502-7878
E-mail:ed.crowe@ed.gov

Teacher Quality State Grants

These grants encourage states to improve the quality of their teaching force through such reforms as: strengthening their certification standards to ensure that new teachers have strong teaching skills and knowledge of their content areas; implementing reforms that hold institutions of higher education accountable for preparing teachers who have strong teaching skills and a thorough knowledge of their content areas; establishing or strengthening alternative pathways into teaching for highly qualified individuals, including mid-career professionals and former military personnel; and reducing shortages of qualified teachers in high-need areas.
Ed Crowe, 202-502-7878
E-mail:ed.crowe@ed.gov

Educational Opportunity Centers

The Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education. An important objective of EOC is to counsel participants on financial aid options and to assist them in the application process. The goal of EOC is to increase the number of adult participants who enroll in postsecondary education institutions and successfully complete degree programs.
Margaret Wingfield, 202-502-7547
E-mail:TRIO@ed.gov

Talent Search

The Talent Search Program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and advance to the postsecondary school of their choice. Talent Search also encourages high school dropouts to complete their education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of disadvantaged youth who complete high school and enroll in the postsecondary education institution of their choice.
Clinton Black, 202-502-7537
E-mail:clinton.black@ed.gov

Upward Bound

Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants as they prepare for college. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families; high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree; and low-income, first-generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education. Upward Bound strives to increase the rates at which participants complete secondary education, as well as enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.
Peggy Whitehead, 202-502-7536
E-mail:TRIO@ed.gov

Upward Bound-Math/Science Program

The Upward Bound-Math/Science Program allows the Department to fund specialized Upward Bound math and science centers. The centers are designed to strengthen the math and science skills of participating students. The goal of the program is to help students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science and encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in math and science. Program services include intensive summer training in math and science; year-round counseling; exposure to university faculty who do research in math and science; computer training; and participant-conducted scientific research under the guidance of mentors.
Geraldine Smith, 202-502-7543
E-mail:TRIO@ed.gov

International Education and Graduate Programs

Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program

The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries through international seminars. Qualified American educators receive opportunities to participate in short-term seminars abroad. Applications for this program are accepted through the Fulbright-Hays Program.

Rosalie Gendimenico/Tanyelle Hawkins-Richardson, 202-502-7625/502-7626
E-mail:rosalie.gendimenico@ed.gov
tanyelle.hawkins@ed.gov

National Resource Centers Program and Fellowships Program for Language and Area or Language and International Studies

This program promotes, develops and improves instruction in modern foreign languages and area or international studies critical to national needs by supporting, establishing, strengthening and operating comprehensive and undergraduate national resource centers at colleges and universities.

Cheryl Gibbs (East Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia/Pacific Island), 202-502-7634
Karla Ver Bryck Block (Africa, International), 202-502-7632
G. Edward McDermott (Canada, North America, Russia/Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, Caribbean), 202-502-7636
E-mail: cheryl.gibbs@ed.gov;
karla.verbryckblock@ed.gov;

Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Programs

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program

This program provides formula grants to states to promote academic excellence and achievement by awarding scholarships of $1,500 per year to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and who show promise of continued excellence in their postsecondary education.
Darlene Collins, 202-502-7576
E-mail:darlene.collins@ed.gov

Urban Community Service

This program awards grants of up to five years to urban colleges and universities that create community service activities that address high-priority urban needs. Services include planning, training, work force preparation, technical assistance and more.
Sarah Babson, 202-260-3472
E-mail:sarah.babson@ed.gov

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[Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services]

[Office of Vocational and Adult Education]