Exploring Teacher Diversity - How a Historical Review of Project Midstate Student Support for Teaching (MSS) Informs Future Practice

Oct 15, 2026

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Project Midstate Student Support for Teaching (MSS) is a University of Illinois Springfield initiative designed to expand the number of first-generation and diverse teacher candidates in area school districts. Accepted students receive full tuition waivers, a $200 per semester book stipend, and academic support. A review of 424 records shows 94% from targeted areas and 83% non-white candidates, with a 96% teacher test pass rate. The study also examines GPA, graduation likelihood, and transitions into teaching roles, including principal and graduate coursework pathways.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

University of Illinois Springfield context

College of Education and Human Services

Project Midstate Student Support for Teaching (MSS) history and structure

Student application and admissions criteria

Licensure pathways and academic requirements

Assessments, background checks, and Teacher Education Program entry

Ongoing eligibility requirements

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| Exploring Teacher Diversity: How a Historical Review of Project Midstate Student Support for Teaching (MSS)
Informs Future Practice | | --- | --- | Ronda Mitchell & Nancy Barrett, University of Illinois Abstract Project Midstate Student Support for Teaching (MSS) ([http://www.uis.edu/projectmss/](http://www.uis.edu/projectmss/)) isan initiative at University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) designed to increase the number of first generation and diverse teacher candidates in area school districts. Students accepted into MSS receive full tuition waivers, a $200 book stipend per semester, and academic support. Key findings from the document review of 424 student records show that 94% of the candidates came from the targeted areas and 83% were non-white. The teacher test passing rate was 96% with an average score above the Minimum Passing Level set by the state. Since 2012, all initial inquiries resulted in official university enrollments. Five of the 424 candidates became principals and six took master’s-level education courses. While not part of the target group of recent high school graduates, some older candidates also enrolled in MSS. These older candidates (enrolling after the age of 23) graduated with GPA’s statistically higher than the younger age group (p=0.04) and were more likely to graduate than their younger classmates. The older candidates were also more likely to complete student teaching requirements, suggesting that more of the older group actually went into teaching. In large part, the findings corroborate the potential value of teacher development programs like MSS to diversify the future teacher pool. The study also suggests ways that MSS may be improved to further its mission in the future. Keywords: preservice teacher education; student recruitment; minority group students; student diversity; teacher education; first generation college students Introduction The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is one of three campuses of the University of Illinois. It offers 31 bachelor’s degrees, 20 master’s degrees, and one doctoral program. As of fall 2016, the total enrollment was 5,428 . There were 2,959 (55%) undergraduate students and 2,469 (45%) graduate students, with 56% registered as full-time and 44% part-time. There were 52% males and 48% females. The average age of an undergraduate was 26 and a graduate was 31. Approximately 11% of the students are African-American, 6% Hispanic, 20% International and 63% other ethnicities. The majority of the students come from Illinois (67%), and a smaller percentage are from out of state (13%) . The remainder (20%) are international students (UIS,“At a glance”) . The College of Education and Human Services is the home for educational and social service professional programs at UIS. Students can earn MA degrees in Educational Leadership, Human Development Counseling or Human Services. The Social Work program offers aBSW degree and Teacher Education provides training for a BA in Elementary Education or a minor in Secondary Education (UIS,“Departments in the College”) Teacher Education offers coursework, both onground and online, in general education, introductory courses, core courses, methods courses, clinical practice (student teaching), and concurrent academic content major area (UIS,“Teacher Education”) . Project Midstate Student Support for Teaching (MSS) began in 1991 as Project Minority Student Support for Teaching and is housed in the Department of Teacher Education. Its original goal was to increase the pool of diverse and first generation teachers in area school districts by providing incentives for high school graduates and community college students. Since its inception, there have been two Directors, with the current Director beginning in the fall of 2013. While MSS has been referred to as a program or a project in past years, it is actually an initiative ofTEP and not a stand-alone program. The incentive is administered by the univ

FAQs

What is MSS and who does it target?

MSS is an initiative of the University of Illinois Springfield intended to increase the number of first-generation and diverse teacher candidates in local school districts.

What benefits do accepted students receive through MSS?

Accepted students receive full tuition waivers, a $200 book stipend per semester, and academic support.

What do the findings from 424 student records indicate?

Key results reported include 94% of candidates from targeted areas, 83% non-white representation, and a 96% teacher test passing rate with an average above the state Minimum Passing Level.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by nayy☆