VCU, Henrico Public Schools poineer embedded education program for teachers

By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education

RICHMOND, Va. – In what might be the first program of its kind in the United States, Virginia Commonwealth University and Henrico County Public Schools are allowing teachers to take customized courses towards master’s or doctoral degrees without leaving their classrooms and at less expense than traditional continuing education programs.

VCU faculty are working in Henrico schools, using district space and technology, to offer graduate courses for elementary and secondary-level teachers, as well as curriculum specialists, such as department chairs.

“We are extending our services by embedding ourselves in the school system,” said William C. Bosher, Ph.D., dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. “We can offer convenient, affordable graduate courses that are customized to the school system in which the teachers work.”

Henrico teachers receive $1,000 for professional development each year. VCU is offering three courses for this amount, significantly less than if the teachers attended class on campus.

“We are extremely excited about the trailblazing partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University, which provides a customized leadership development program as well as professional development offerings that are convenient, outstanding in quality and relevant to today's classroom,” said Mark A. Edwards, Ph.D., superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools.

More than 10 content courses are offered by on-site faculty each semester to help teachers improve skills within their disciplines. “Henrico teachers also will benefit from more than $12 million in education research programs underway at VCU,” said Bosher.

VCU hopes to work with the Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Richmond City school systems to develop similar professional development programs.