PURPOSE

Overcome existing distance barriers using the Internet and Interactive Video to:

• Provide required educational training to Tennessee Head Start instructors
• Provide courses to meet mandatory state recertification requirements for teachers
• Provide critical information and training to families and child care providers thru the Tennessee Early Intervention System
• Provide selected high school students access to higher education courses

GOALS

Increase community awareness, access, and involvement in Tennessee's Head Start Program and Early Intervention Systems.

• Encourage more teachers to meet state recertification requirements through distance learning
• Increase accessibility to higher education
• Increase educational equity in the project service area for populations that are typically under-served by higher education.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

• Increase the number of distance learning credit courses offered in the partner counties to enable Head Start instructors to meet national education mandates
• Increase the number of teacher recertification credit hours earned through distance learning
• Provide distance learning continuing education opportunities to child care providers in partner counties
• Provide dual-credit distance learning courses to high school students