University secures match for mentoring program

The University of Alaska says it has secured the $1.5 million match needed for a $15 million federal grant to expand a teacher mentoring program. The university system says the program already helps 320 teachers in 48 mostly rural districts. With the grant, it would help another 850 first- and second-year teachers, expanding the program to the more urban Anchorage, Fairbanks, Mat-Su and Kenai districts. The program aims to reduce teacher turnover and improve student achievement. UA Foundation president Carla Beam says the private matching funds are a mix of cash and in-kind donations. She says contributions ranged in size from nearly $191 to $300,000.