Eastern University Partners in $1.27 Million Eligible Partnership Grant Program

St. Davids, PA: Eastern University is pleased to announce the College of Education will partner in $1.27 million of a federally funded grant titled the Eligible Partnership Grant Program. The grant, announced by Governor Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera, is part of more than $3 million awarded to three Pennsylvania universities.  

Governor Wolf said, “Since day one of my administration, I have made improving Pennsylvania’s education system a top priority…these grants will further strengthen the commonwealth’s public education system by developing future principals into successful leaders of our schools.”

The program, which aims to prepare future principals and supports elevated instructional performance, is administered through the Department of Education’s Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality.  Grant applicants were required to demonstrate the use of statewide partnerships to create high-quality relationships between institutions of higher education and local education agencies.

Eastern University collaborated with neighboring universities La Salle and Cabrini to designate the grant funds for the Early Learning Instructional Coaching Program (ELPIC). With La Salle acting as the lead institution, additional partners include Research for Better Schools @ PHMC, The Children’s School at Cabrini University, CORA Early Years at La Salle, Hatboro-Horsham School District, Souderton Charter School Collaborative, Southeast Delco School District, MaST Community Charter School, and the Upper Merion Area School District.

Interim Dean of the College of Education Harry Gutelius explained, "Eastern's College of Education is excited to be a partner in the new ELPIC grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  This grant will enable us to prepare 40 teachers over a two year period to become school administrators in the state of Pennsylvania.  Since all of these teachers will come from Philadelphia and the immediate surrounding area, we are very pleased to have the opportunity to train so many who will be leaders in public education in our region."

“Preparing future principals to be strong instructional leaders can positively impact the entire school,” said Education Secretary Pedro Rivera. “These grants are a great opportunity for Pennsylvania’s institutions of higher education to collaborate with K-12 educators to improve education in our schools.”

Eastern University’s College of Education is one of the leading private university Education programs in the state of Pennsylvania.  The College offers associate, bachelor's, four different master's degrees, and plans to add a doctoral program in 2018.  Students in the program can attain certifications in Early Childhood, all nine Middle Level options that are offered by the state, six Secondary Ed content areas, Special Education, Health and Physical Education, Music, Reading, ESL, as well as Supervisor, Principal, and Certifications. For more information contact Communications Director, Denise Mc Millan at dmcmill@eastern.edu or 610-341-4365.