Ohio University Signs Exchange of Services Agreement

Contact: James Heap, (740) 593-4403

ATHENS, Ohio (May 17, 2000) -- Ohio University has signed an agreement with more than 100 school districts in southeast Ohio that increases compensation for teachers who work with Ohio University students in their classrooms. The agreement covers a two-year period, beginning with fall quarter 2000 and continuing through the 2001-2002 academic year.

Cooperating teachers who mentor Ohio University student teachers will receive either a waiver for 2 hours of graduate study at the university or $160, up from $125 in the previous agreement. Should teachers decline to accept the graduate school tuition, the hours will be "banked" and another teacher in the district can purchase the two hours for half-price.

Teachers who host students obtaining field experience will receive $10 or a waiver of 20 percent of one graduate school credit hour. As with the student-teaching agreement, hours that are not used can be banked and purchased by another teacher in the district for half the offered price.

"Our new exchange of services agreement leads the state in teacher compensation," said James Heap, dean of the Ohio University College of Education. "Students will benefit from the stability that this agreement ensures for the coming two years. We look forward to working with local schools in carrying forward our innovative programs in teacher preparation."

The student-teaching and field-experience opportunities are important components in helping aspiring educators to receive practical experience. A student teacher joins the classroom for an entire quarter and participates in hands-on teaching. A field-experience student observes a classroom.