Purpose: This initiative is intended to provide "seed money" to support members of the Task Force on Quality Inclusive Schooling in planning and preparing a "Proposal for Co-Teaching," with hope that a number of the final proposals received would be funded for the 2003-2004 school year. The current initiative is simply support to get this larger initiative started before next year. Approaches to co-teaching might include one of the following arrangements:

• A colleague from one of the high need schools co-teaching a teacher preparation course(s) with a college faculty member. (See attached list of Regional School Support Center contacts for the list of high need schools).
• College faculty co-teaching in one of the high need schools with a colleague from that school or district.

The goals of these first two approaches would be 1.) to build and strengthen a partnership between the college and the high need school, and 2.) to develop deeper understandings between and amongst us about the dual missions of serving all learners well and preparing new teachers to engage in this challenge successfully.

• College faculty co-teaching a teacher preparation course with a colleague from another department or division of the institution. For example: general teacher education faculty members work with special education faculty members to explore an inclusive teacher preparation model; or a reading faculty member works with an early childhood faculty member to integrate strategies for early literacy development in learners; or faculty from bi-lingual education work with regular and special education faculty to develop and teach a new course on serving English language learners; and so on.

The goal of this approach is to develop teacher preparation courses and programs that enhance the ability of all teachers to address the full range of student abilities and needs in the general education classroom setting at the early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, and/or adolescent level.

• Other co-teaching models and ideas are encouraged and will be considered.

Expected outcomes: A final proposal toward one of the approaches to co-teaching is the expected outcome of this current initiative. A final report or the "Proposal for Co-Teaching" - initiative 7A may be submitted as soon as it is developed, but no later than August 15, 2003. In that way, co-teaching awards
can be made for the fall and/or spring semesters of the coming school year.

Receiving a "seed money" award does not imply approval of the resulting "Proposal for Co-Teaching." In fact, proposals written without the support of the seed money award will be accepted as well. Review of all "Proposals for Co-Teaching" will begin in a timely manner after several are received this summer.

Awards: Seed Money for Co-Teaching awards will be given to those applicants who demonstrate a commitment to complete a "Proposal for Co-Teaching" in partnership with potential co-teachers.

Award amounts will not exceed $500. This award will be given to members of the Task Force and their school planning partners through consultant agreements; up to 2 consultant agreements are allowed per grant. Individuals receiving agreements are responsible for arrangements made between themselves for work and submitting the final "Proposal for Co-Teaching." Individuals are responsible for their own expenses. Because awards will be made to individuals, no indirect costs will be incurred.

Generally, only one award per higher education institution will be made, unless exceptional proposals are received.
Funds must be expended by August 15, 2003, which is the submission deadline for the final "Proposals for Co-Teaching." - initiative #7A Payment for the consultant work will be made following receipt of "Proposal for Co-Teaching."

Time frame: Seed Money for Co-Teaching proposals should be received at the HESC offices by June 15, 2003.