Board approves voluntary pathway with Reach University for educational assistants

The White County Board of Education voted March 19 to enter a memorandum of understanding with Reach University that gives educational assistants and other uncredentialed employees the opportunity to earn a job-embedded bachelor's degree while working in district schools.

Director Robert Drombarger described the program as an affordable, job-embedded option that credits on-the-job experience and is aimed at growing teachers "from within." "The flat rate of $75 a month is all that it costs. It's no cost to the district even though there is an opportunity for the district to pay some of that cost if they chose to at some point," Drombarger said.

Under the MOU, candidates would participate voluntarily and go through a standard college-admission process, including advisement and review of transfer credits. Staff said the program is not teacher certification by itself but yields a bachelor of liberal arts that could be used in a job-embedded model while candidates pursue certification through a master's program if desired.

Board members asked about the program's time frame and whether receiving institutions would accept credits; Drombarger and other staff said transfer depends on the receiving institution and encouraged candidates to consult prospective graduate programs. After discussion, the board approved the MOU by voice vote.

Next steps: The district will execute the MOU and allow staff who choose to enroll to pursue the Reach University pathway; the board noted the program could help address teacher shortages by developing local candidates.

Reported action: MOU with Reach University approved (voice vote).