ECISD teachers can get low price master's degree
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

El Campo ISD teachers soon will be able to take advantage of what may be the educational deal of the century: a full master's degree for $4,950.

During Tuesday night's ECISD board meeting, Superintendent Mark Pool told trustees he'd entered into an academic partnership agreement with Lamar University in Beaumont to offer two types of masters degrees to ECISD teachers. The masters degree in teacher leadership enhances teaching skills, while the masters in school administration is for those interested in those positions.

The program takes 18 months and is available online. Teachers can do their course work on home computers or those available at the Northside Education Center, Pool told trustees.

Teachers with masters degrees receive additional pay of about $1,300 per year.

"So it would pay for itself in about three years," Pool said.

Some 43 Texas school districts have already reached academic partnership agreements with Lamar University.

Founded in 1923 as a junior college, the university offers more than 100 programs of study that lead to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It is part of the Texas State University System which includes Sul Ross, Sam Houston State and Texas State universities. Lamar is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees.

More information on the masters program for teachers is available at www.academicpartnership. com/lamar.