The University of Illinois at Chicago-Community College Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation is an initiative to significantly strengthen programs for the preparation of K-12 teachers who complete their preservice curriculum at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The Collaborative involves UIC and six community college partners that are major sources of transfer students for UIC-William Rainey Harper Community College, Oakton Community College, Olive-Harvey College, Triton College, Truman College, and Harold Washington College. The project also has strong connections with the Chicago Public Schools and surrounding Chicago-area school districts. The Collaborative emphasizes activities in seven categories: 1) faculty development; 2) mathematics and science course and curriculum development; 3) mentoring and induction for mathematics and science teachers in their initial years of teaching; 4) recruitment and retention of outstanding teacher candidates, with a special focus on high quality candidates from underrepresented groups; 5) stronger collaboration and articulation between UIC, community colleges, and schools; 6) institutionalization and dissemination of project activities and products; and 7) research and evaluation.
