Supporting Secondary STEM Educator Preparation at TCUP Institutions
Dear Colleagues:
Middle and high schools in the United States continue to experience critical shortages of certified secondary science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers. According to data collected by the United States Department of Education, over half of U.S. states and territories reported unfilled secondary STEM teaching positions for the 2023-24 school year (NCSL, 2024)1. These shortages particularly impact rural Tribal and Native communities.
Meanwhile, STEM knowledge is rapidly advancing, and sophisticated STEM and STEM education technologies are increasingly becoming an integral part of high-quality instruction. Keeping STEM teacher preparation degrees up to date on these advances is an ongoing and crucial responsibility for the institutions that offer them.
In recognition of the importance of STEM teachers to economic empowerment of rural and remote communities, the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) encourages TCUP-eligible institutions to submit proposals for funding to develop new or revised Secondary STEM Education degrees.
In considering project design, proposers should assess whether existing curricula and courses include the discipline content knowledge and skills development opportunities necessary to prepare today's secondary STEM educators, or whether the curriculum should be revised or expanded to ensure successful learning outcomes. Projects supporting the development of new teacher preparation degrees must include all elements required for degree accreditation and teacher licensure or certification in the host state including clinical experiences and earned STEM minors, as applicable. Eligible project activities include but are not limited to faculty hires, faculty professional development, equipment and materials purchase, and curriculum development.
HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS DCL
Proposals in response to this DCL should be submitted to one of two existing institutional capacity-building strands found in the current TCUP solicitation known as the Instructional Capacity Excellence in TCUP Institutions (ICE-TI) and Targeted STEM Infusion Projects (TSIP) funding tracks.
- ICE-TI awards can support projects that add new STEM or STEM Education degree offerings at TCUP-eligible institutions or significantly enhance instructional approaches in existing offerings. Example ICE-TI projects responsive to this DCL include the design and delivery of new Secondary STEM teacher preparation degrees or extensive updating of existing Secondary STEM teacher preparation degrees to incorporate significant advances in STEM knowledge, disciplines, skills, or instructional technologies to the degree's curriculum.
- TSIP awards support focused projects that strengthen existing STEM or STEM Education programs. A TSIP responsive to this DCL could, for example, update specific courses to include recent STEM advances, create new courses that develop STEM teachers' proficiency in the use of instructional technologies, or modernize equipment used in STEM teacher preparation degrees.
For further guidance, those intending to submit proposals should refer to the current TCUP solicitation, paying particular attention to the sections that describe the ICE-TI and TSIP funding strands. PIs are strongly encouraged to contact TCUP program officers to discuss their project ideas in advance of proposal submission.
Please consult the TCUP solicitation for eligibility guidelines.
This DCL will remain in effect until April 10, 2026.
Questions and communications should be directed to the TCUP program directors:
- Regina Sievert (rsievert@nsf.gov)
- Jody Chase (lchase@nsf.gov)
Sincerely,
James L. Moore III
Assistant Director
Directorate for STEM Education
1 National Conference of State Legislatures. (2024). Teacher shortage areas, school year 2023-24. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZjAzODQ0YmEtNGNlNy00MDVhLWIwM2EtYTE2ZGM2MGY2N2M1IiwidCI6IjM4MmZiOGIwLTRkYzMtNDEwNy04MGJkLTM1OTViMjQzMmZhZSIsImMiOjZ9.