The TEA project was established in the spring of 2009 to create a strong collaborative partnership between Springfield Public Schools (SPS), Baptist Bible College, Drury, Evangel and Missouri State University. The objectives of the collaborative partnership are to:

• Increase pupil achievement in SPS Title I schools, particularly academic performance in communication arts and mathematics as measured by the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests that are administered annually to students in grades 3 through 10.
• Improve the quality of teacher candidates who graduate from the teacher education programs of the collaborating institutions and are potential hires for SPS Title I schools (and Title I schools in other districts).
• Facilitate the transition of newly hired teachers into their first year of full-time teaching in SPS schools, especially Title I schools.

     This project should result in higher student achievement in reading and mathematics, and provide the students with a sense of accomplishment that increases the likelihood they will become productive community members and responsible citizens. In addition, this project strongly enhances the field based learning of Universities' teacher candidates and will help them to be better prepared and have the opportunity to understand challenges they might encounter in their future classrooms. The project objectives include several initiatives that will impact students in the target schools, these include:

• A structured tutoring program involving college students will be implemented to provide students with additional reading and math instruction.
• Students will be involved with enrichment type activities involving university athletics, dance and musical groups and community organizations such as Dickerson Park Zoo, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Springfield Symphony to provide sustained learning experiences.
• Additional counselors and counseling interns will be assigned to these schools which will provide the children and youth with additional support, guidance and caring individuals to address life issues.
• Increase quality and quantity of pre-service teacher placement in SPS schools.
• All partner schools will host practicum students who are completing assignments in introductory teaching courses.
• Family involvement in the school will be provided through collaboration with the Springfield Community Center's association with the Springfield Neighborhood Alliance, or other programs involved with the Community Partnership of the Ozarks.
• Physical health and wellness will be addressed by providing a Public Health Research Liaison who will work in conjunction with the school nurses and administrators to help determine the health needs of the children and their families.
• All participating partner school faculty and administration will be offered adjunct faculty status with participating universities which will afford them the benefits of library access for research, professional development offered to faculty and staff and all other benefits and discounts available to university faculty.