MIAMI, Fla. (March 14, 2002)- Florida International University's College of Education has been awarded a $1.5 million federal grant Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers To Use Technology (PT3).

The PT3 Grant, which will be disbursed over a three-year period, will fund programs to prepare professional educators to teach using technology in the classroom. Additionally, it will develop, strengthen and integrate technology as a learning tool throughout the education system.

The funds from this grant provide university faculty and Miami-Dade school district teachers with increased professional development opportunities to enhance their skills utilizing technology. In addition, the standards and curriculum offered in FIU's professional education program will be realigned to ensure that technology is being effectively used to enhance learning at all levels. The funds also guarantee that faculty and students have access to the appropriate technology and software to use as teaching tools.

"We are very excited about this grant," said Linda Blanton, Dean of FIU's College of Education. "This is an opportunity to positively impact over 1,000 teachers in our community -- and, ultimately, our children."
The ultimate goal is to ensure teachers know how to use all the tools available to them, including the powerful learning tools of technology, to improve student learning, to help their students reach high standards, and to provide South Florida's students with equitable access to the knowledge and skills they will need for responsible citizenship and productive employment in our global society.

The project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, includes creating mentor teachers within MDCPS to enhance the infusion and use of technology throughout the College's teacher preparation curriculum. Long-term goals for the program include the development of a systematic model of curricular reform that will be implemented in professional education programs and improvements in the development of current technology infrastructure in professional education programs.

FIU's College of Education is the top producer of school teachers in Miami-Dade County- the nation's fourth-largest public school district.