This past summer, TC’s Community College Research Center (CCRC) was awarded nearly $3 million from the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study how guided pathways reforms in community colleges can help students succeed in STEM programs. A second grant of $1.4 million, from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), will expand CCRC’s research into English language learners in community colleges.
In October, TR@TC, our innovative teaching residency program, won its third round of USDOE funding. The program’s newest iteration, TR@ TC3, exponentially strengthens an already cutting-edge emphasis on simultaneously preparing teachers in specific content areas and serving special education students and those who are English language learners. The projected total grant of $5,985,870 over the next five years will fund 75 new residents.
Also in October, the College received a five-year $2.5 million USDOE grant to expand support for two local public schools in our REACH (Raising Educational Achievement Coalition of Harlem) program.
Through REACH, overseen by TC’s Office of School & Community Partnerships, the College helps neighborhoods with large concentrations of low-income students increase early childhood school readiness, offer expanded learning opportunities, improve students’ physical and mental health, bolster family support and engagement, and strengthen school leadership. REACH employs a university-assisted community school model, providing an array of academic and “wrap-around” services essential to the success of children and families. REACH collaborates with TC faculty members and students to design and deliver programming services to partner schools, and partners with other Columbia schools to support this work.
“Beyond extending our important programs, these grants confirm that we are tackling the right issues and making important strides,” says President Thomas Bailey. “We believe in what we’re doing, and it’s great to know that others do, too.”