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The mission of the Center for University, School and Community Partnerships (CUSP) is to improve student learning in the SouthCoast region by providing high quality inter-district professional development opportunities to K-12 educators that strengthen their content knowledge, curricula, instruction and leadership skills. We also provide alternative licensure programs to those who want to become teachers.

Collaboratively design and deliver a comprehensive selection of inter-district professional development programs to renew, revitalize and retain K-12 teachers and administrators.

Establish and nurture university-school partnerships dedicated to preparing caring, highly qualified and competent teachers and administrators
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Develop and sustain partnerships and networks to facilitate mutual learning and information sharing among district educators, university faculty and staff.

Provide access to a network of K-12 teachers and administrators who can serve as adjunct faculty, mentors, cooperating teachers, workshop facilitators and visiting lecturers.

Serve as a clearinghouse of innovative and promising practices, research and resources.

Advocate for policies and programs that support the recruitment, retention and development of high quality K-12 educators.



Our Programs

The Buzzards Bay Writing Project provides opportunities for teachers in southeastern Massachusetts to explore their classroom practice in the teaching of writing, issues of literacy and their own personal writing.

Connecting Oceans Academy is an initiative of the federally funded Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations (ECHO) Project. The Academy offers a series of 10-hour content institutes in art, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies for elementary and middle grades teachers that deepen content and pedagogical knowledge.

The Journey into Education and Teaching (JET) is an accelerated bachelor's degree and teacher preparation program for Paraprofessionals who want to become teachers in the high need elementary schools of Fall River and New Bedford. JET offers them the opportunity to obtain Massachusetts licenses in Elementary Education and Moderate Disabilities. JET is funded by a grant from the US Department of Education.

Leading for Learning: Principal and Assistant Principal Licensure Program is a unique and comprehensive program to enhance the leadership potential of classroom teachers and build the next generation of outstanding school principals/assistant principals who will ensure that every child achieves academic excellence, develops critical thinking skills and develops his or her own potential.

The Noyce Scholars Program encourages high-acheiving undergraduate students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields to become middle and high school teachers. Noyce Scholars receive two substantial scholarships, one during their senior year and one during their post-baccalaurete year in our TEACH program, as they earn state teaching licensure and become teachers in high-need SouthCoast schools. The Noyce Scholars Program is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

School Leaders Network provides programs and networking opportunities to inspire, renew and revitalize the leadership of K-12 schools throughout the SouthCoast region. Each workshop offers opportunities to make contacts and exchange ideas.

Teacher Leadership Academy is a statewide professional development network of Massachusetts teachers honored by state and national organizations for their exemplary classroom practice and school leadership.

TEACH! SouthCoast and TEACH! Urban South are innovative preparation programs that support teacher candidates as they achieve a Massachusetts initial license. These post-baccalaureate programs integrate teaching practice and coursework in a year-long model that supports candidates in a cohort that will continue through the beginning years of teaching. Both TEACH programs are funded by grants from the US Department of Education.