Online teachers college receives $10 million grant. (News connection: up-to-date and usable education information from schools, government, business, research and professional organizations).

The federal government is granting $10 million to Western Governors University and its online teachers college. The money will help the relatively new university--established in 1997--to expand academic programs.

The university targets teachers and teachers aides who are already in the schools, notes Robert Mendenhall, president. He estimates that 10 to 20 percent of the 2.7 million public school teachers are not certified.

In urban areas, this jumps to 40 percent. These newcomers usually are given several years to complete their master's degrees and certification coursework. If they can't do this, they leave teaching for other jobs. The schools then are forced to hire a new crop of uncertified teachers with even less class experience.

WGU is set up to stop this cycle, says Mendenhall.

Online programs developed by WGU are based on professional competencies, not credit units. "We define what we think a graduate should know," he says. "If the student can demonstrate that knowledge, we grant a degree." The cost varies, but Mendenhall estimates the average expense for a master's degree to be $8,000.

Until now, WGU's only master's degree was in learning and technology. Now in its second year, the program has attracted 150 students and has already granted five degrees for coursework estimated to take three years to complete.

The government grant will be used to develop additional master's and teacher certificate programs.

WGU is a private, not-for-profit institution that was formed by governors of 19 states.

WGU is supported by IBM, AT&T, AOL and 22 other corporate partners. * www.wgu.edu