Idaho State University's College of Education is partnering with the College of Southern Idaho Blaine County Center to offer candidates for upper division teaching courses a chance to study at the Community Campus as of the fall of 2008. The campus is located at the old Wood River High School in Hailey.
"We are hoping to build a (group) of 25 students for upper division education courses here in the valley," ISU's Blaine County director Chris Gertschen said. "The plan is to bring six credits each semester beginning in fall of 2008 to Blaine County students interested in pursuing an Idaho teaching credential."
The Blaine County Idaho State University center also hopes to bring upper division courses from other departments that would build upon what the College of Southern Idaho is offering.
"We signed a memo of understanding with ISU to work together to grow their upper division courses here in Sun Valley," CSI Blaine County Center Director Jenny Emery Davidson said.
CSI, as a community college based in Twin Falls, can only offer a two-year degree, but an upper division or high school-level teaching certifications must come from studies at a four-year institution, Davidson said.
Until now, candidates for upper level certifications had to leave the valley to complete course work at Boise State University or ISU. Even with this change, they will still need to round out specific courses at one of the four-year institutions.
A Spanish Summer Institute, sponsored jointly by CSI and ISA, will take place for the second year the week of June 16 through June 20. As well, ISU's Sawtooth Science Institute has for 19 years offered natural history and field study courses.
For more information on the Blaine County ISU Center and the Sawtooth Science Institute, contact Gertschen at 788-9686.
