Project STEPE (Strengthening Teacher Effectiveness Through a Partnership of Equals), designed to improve instruction, involves collaboration between Western Carolina University and seven rural North Carolina school systems. The consortium also includes several institutions associated with education and rural issues, two community colleges,…

The consortium-based teacher education program concept was formulated to provide a more effective means of linking continuing education activity to research and development in education. The program's primary objectives include the development and maintenance of a systematic certification training program for prospective teachers, development and…