Teacher Quality Partnership Grant: Newark-Montclair Teaching Residency Program (NMTRP)  

In September, 2009 Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ received a Teacher Quality Partnership Grant from the Office of Innovation and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education. The grant project focuses on improving student achievement in the Newark, New Jersey Public Schools through implementation of a research-based teacher preparation program aligned with the educational priorities of Newark Public Schools (NPS). During the five year grant, cohorts of teacher residents participate in clinical apprenticeships with mentor teachers experienced in the residents’ areas of certification (dual-certification in elementary education and special education, mathematics education, or science education). The teacher residents simultaneously engage in rigorous coursework integrated with the clinical apprenticeship, through which they receive a master’s degree and teacher certification. Successful program completers are hired by NPS and receive induction support through the grant for a minimum of two years after completion of the residency program. Intensive professional development and networking support novice and experienced teacher-mentors in the continued development of their knowledge and skills for teaching, mentoring, and improving student achievement.  

Partners in the grant include Montclair State University (MSU), Newark Public Schools and a set of high-need schools within NPS, the MSU College of Education & Human Services, the MSU College of Science & Mathematics, the Newark Teachers’ Union, the New Jersey Department of Education, and The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future. RMC Research Corporation serves as the evaluator of the grant.  RMC Research Corporation has created an evaluation plan characterized by an emphasis on sound, practical methodology and analysis; a design that reflects the data requirements, informational needs, and programmatic interests of the key decision makers as well as field realities; valid and reliable instruments; and the maximum utilization of evaluation findings by careful attention to report presentation, readability, and audience priorities.

The evaluation is guided by two overarching questions:

(1) to what extent is the NMTRP model successful in preparing, recruiting, and retaining residents in the Newark Public Schools? and

(2) to what extent is the NMRTP model successful in creating professional learning communities and enhancing skills and knowledge of experienced teachers in NPS?