SBU signs articulation agreement with east Missouri school

Southwest Baptist University penned an articulation agreement with an eastern Missouri college in an effort to boost the teaching workforce.

Through the agreement, students who earn an associate degree in teaching at Union-based East Central College can more easily transfer to the Bolivar university for a bachelor's in elementary education, according to a news release.

“One of our strategies in our five-year strategic plan was to grow partnerships with our four-year university partners,” said Robyn Walter, vice president for academic affairs at ECC, in the release. “This articulation agreement is really impactful for teacher education. We’ve been hearing a lot about the shortage of teachers."

For the 2020-21 academic year, the state had a roughly 5.1% shortage in full-time equivalent instructors, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Elementary education was among the areas hardest hit.

"The need for teachers across the state of Missouri, especially rural areas, is great," said Dwight Haun, coordinator of teacher education and professor of education at SBU, in the release.