A new Wichita State University initiative is aimed at addressing the critical shortage of educators in special education and elementary classrooms. The initiative, called Teacher Education Pathways, recently received $97,000 from the Kansas Board of Regents. The new program, which will start in fall 2023, will provide smoother pathways for students pursuing Kansas Licensure in elementary education and early childhood. WSU will collaborate closely with Butler Community College and WSU Tech to establish a new scholarship and pathway for undergraduates seeking initial teacher licensure.
A key highlight of the program is the introduction of scholarships designed to support high school students, Butler and WSU Tech students, as well as incoming SWU transfer students interested in a teaching career. The initial scholarship will be aimed at Kansas high school students to cover the cost of the introduction to education course at Butler or WSU Tech.
