The goal of the CLIP project is to improve student achievement in nine rural, high-needs school districts in Central Louisiana by preparing highly qualified educators to teach in the critical shortage areas of science and math.
CLIP is implemented through an innovative teacher residency program with integrated professional development and induction support. Applicants selected for the CLIP program complete a 15-month accelerated graduate program of study culminating in a Master of Arts in teaching degree from Northwestern State University and a professional teaching certification. CLIP residents receive a stipend to cover the expense of tuition, as well as an annual stipend of $36,000 during their residency.
While completing their graduate coursework, CLIP residents are immersed in an academic year school-based residency in a high-needs school identified by the nine partner public school districts. CLIP residents experience a variety of learning opportunities alongside a trained and experienced mentor teacher. Upon completion of the program, graduates are placed in CLIP-participating schools and receive two years of induction support with sustained coaching and professional development. CLIP graduates are required to teach in a Central Louisiana high-needs school for at least three years following graduation as part of the CLIP agreement.
The Orchard Foundation, a nonprofit local education fund and the education arm of The Rapides Foundation, serve as the lead organization for CLIP. Project Partners include: the nine Central Louisiana School Districts of Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn; NSU's Gallaspy College of Education & Human Development and College of Business & Technology - Computer Information Systems; Urban Learning & Leadership Center; EvalWorks; and The Rapides Foundation. CLIP is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Teacher Quality Partnership grant program.