TRUSTing in the Future: College Access in an Urban School District

Abstract

An alliance of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Birmingham City Schools, the National Urban Alliance, and the College Board is strengthening urban teacher preparation through TRUST-Training and Retaining Urban Student Teachers. At the heart of this effort is an Urban Teacher Enhancement Program that supports teachers in building sociocultural competence, an affirming attitude, collaborative skills, and specific pedagogy to build on diversity in the classroom. In addition, TRUST is working to enhance school counseling so that, in addition to better prepared teachers for urban schools, students will have access to college admissions support.