State Education Department Awards $3.45 Million in My Brother’s Keeper Grants for Teacher Opportunity Corps II

The State Education Department awarded $3.45 million in Teacher Opportunity Corps II (TOC II) grants to 17 New York colleges and universities, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. The purpose of TOC II is to increase the rate of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged individuals in teaching careers. The project period is September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2026, with an anticipated allocation of $3.45 million annually.

“One of the main points of focus of the Board’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policy is to support schools in their efforts to recruit and retain a diverse workforce,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. “The My Brother’s Keeper TOC II grants allow us to invest in programs that value DEI ideals and are engaged in practices that will build a pipeline for a more equitable distribution of talent in the teaching workforce.”

“We are fortunate to live in one of the most diverse and culturally rich states in the nation,” said Commissioner Rosa. “Unfortunately, in many cases, our workforce of educators does not reflect the diversity we see across the state. Students taught by teachers that look like them benefit both academically and emotionally. We must continue to support programs like TOC II that can deliver a more diverse workforce to schools across the state.”

As supported by our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy, the State Education Department seeks to invest in programs that bolster the retention of highly qualified individuals who value equity and reflect the diversity inside and outside of our classrooms, particularly in high-need schools with recurrent teacher shortages. Successful grantee programs will incorporate proven strategies for teacher retention and best practice, such as mentors for new teachers and differentiated instructional techniques.

Since 2016, NYSED has awarded $18.45 million in Teacher Opportunity Corps II (TOC II) Grants to 23 colleges and universities. The TOC II statewide enrollment as of  February 2021 was 594, with TOC II institutions reporting 442 graduates of the program. Eligible applicants are New York State public and independent degree-granting colleges and universities that have a teacher preparation (undergraduate or graduate) program approved by the State Education Department. Grants have been awarded to the following colleges and universities:

Please visit the My Brother’s Keeper Teacher Opportunity Corps II website for more information on the program.