CSC receives NDE Educator Pipeline Grant

The one-time grant will be available only through Dec. 2024. It is designed to help alleviate statewide shortages by adding more candidates to the teacher education pipelines from institutions of higher education.

The Educator Pipeline Grant funds are limited to Nebraska residents who are also actively working as para-educators in Nebraska school districts. Approximately 40 percent of the NDE grant is earmarked for program administrative assistance while the remaining $60,000 will be used for student scholarships.

Don King, a retired CSC Education Professor and recruiter for Education, said CSC has focused for three years on building its program to allow para-professionals working in Nebraska schools to simultaneously pursue Special Education bachelor’s degrees via distance technology. This option allows para-educators to stay in their home communities and continue working while pursuing a college education.

“Para-professionals and para-educators have roots in these communities,” King said. “One roadblock for some has been a lack of financial support to help pay for collegiate expenses. This grant will assist in providing monetary assistance to these individuals by providing scholarships.”

King said the NDE grant was an affirmation of CSC’s positive track record in providing teacher education outreach. For the past three semesters, CSC faculty and administrators have been working to expand teaching endorsement pathways from Special Education to include other content areas. Currently, nearly 100 students are enrolled in Special Education, Early Childhood Inclusive, and Middle Grades Education, with plans to add more.

King said some school districts are providing financial assistance to their para-educators who are seeking degrees.

“Districts hope these future teachers will remain in the community once they earn their teaching certificates and work within the districts. District incentives have varied from a couple of hundred dollars to full tuition. Others are providing forgiveness programs, where graduates receive a percentage of their college debt paid back or forgiven for every year of teaching they complete within the district,” King said.