Upcoming graduates from SUNY Empire State University and Gratz College outside Philadelphia can now take part in a new program that will ease the burden of certain costs.
Teach NYS has partnered with the two institutes of higher education to allow those who teach through its member schools to work towards master’s degrees in education for significantly lower rates. The program starts this fall and will apply to teachers of students in grades three through 12 learning STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
For those accepted, the final cost is estimated to be about $10,000—a savings of up to 40% in tuition depending on the teachers’ chosen institution. Teachers will also benefit from waived application, credential and student fees.
The program will also work to bring in more government funds for schools. Adam Katz, Teach NYS associate director of government programs, said some New York State schools received as much as $40,000 for each full-time teacher for the 2020-21 school year.
Katz said that “the MST/STEM program is a game-changer for our schools. We’re proud to be able to partner with two premier institutions to offer our member schools simple, affordable paths to increase their government funding while at the same time elevating their quality of education.”
Teach NYS works as part of an education coalition that pushes for equal funding for nonpublic schools, including Jewish schools.