Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development (MHED) Program

Overview

As part of the King-Chávez-Parks (KCP) Initiative, the Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development (MHED) Program is intended to increase the number of academically or economically disadvantaged students who enroll in and complete K-12 teacher education programs at the baccalaureate level. 

The MHED Program is designed to serve as a catalyst for institutional change to ensure an enduring, measurable increase in the enrollment, completion, certification and placement rate of individuals who would otherwise not adequately be represented as teaching professionals in Michigan’s K-12 classrooms.

The strategies that are used to effectively impact student retention and encourage students to persevere to baccalaureate completion vary greatly from institution to institution. Many Michigan institutions have developed programs of “best practice” that are very effective in reaching underrepresented students and implementing systemic institutional change. A few of the lessons that have been learned over the years include: 

• the importance of a commitment to the program at the president’s level increases the likelihood that institutional barriers can be overcome,
• programs that address change in institutional systems have longer-lasting impact, and
• programs that recognize the role that faculty play improving students’ persistence to baccalaureate completion.

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity-Workforce Development (LEO-WD) provides oversight to the MHED Program and technical assistance to the institutions. MHED Program Coordinators and their colleagues at the college/university level are invited, and encouraged, to attend KCP Initiative-sponsored activities such as the annual “Equity in the Classroom Conference.” Also, the KCP Initiative annually hosts a statewide meeting for MHED Program Coordinators to (1) provide updated information and clarification concerning program reporting and/or management responsibilities, (2) exchange information on successful program practice(s), (3) keep abreast of educational reform, and (4) provide useful suggestions to improve program outcomes.

The MHED Program receives funding through a competitive grant process. LEO-WD issued the most recent Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2023-2029 grant cycle. Organizations approved for funding sign Grant Agreements with LEO-WD to facilitate their receipt of State KCP Section 506 Higher Education Appropriations funds. Distribution of these funds, which may be available for a maximum of six years, is based on:

• satisfactory Grantee performance,
• meeting annual programmatic objectives reporting,
• annual fiscal close-out in good standing, and
• the availability of State funds.