District Map
Project RAISE Internship Districts include:
- Northwest: Benton County Schools, Bradford Special School District, Crockett County Schools, Dyer County Schools, Gibson County Special School District, Humboldt City School District, Milan Special School District, Obion County School District, South Carroll Special School District
- Southwest / Memphis: Fayette County Public Schools, Haywood County Schools, Henderson County Schools, Jackson-Madison County School District, Lauderdale County School District, Lexington City Schools, Tipton County Schools
- South Central: Bedford County Schools, Coffee County School District*, Franklin County School District, Lawrence County School System*, Lincoln County Schools, Marshall County School System, Maury County Public Schools, Perry County Schools
- Mid Cumberland: Cheatham County School District, Houston County School District, Stewart County School System
- Upper Cumberland: Bledsoe County Schools, Clay County Schools, Cumberland County School District, DeKalb County School District*, Fentress County Schools, Jackson County School District*, Macon County Schools, Warren County Schools
- Southeast: McMinn County Schools, Meigs County Schools, Polk County Schools, Rhea County School District, Sequatchie County Schools
- East: Anderson County Schools, Blount County Schools, Clinton City Schools*, Grainger County School District, Jefferson County Schools, Loudon County Schools, Morgan County School District, Monroe County Schools, Roane County School District, Scott County Schools
- First: Carter County Schools, Cocke County School District, Elizabethton City Schools, Greene County Schools, Hawkins County School District, Rogersville City Schools, Sullivan County Schools, Washington County Schools
FAQs
We have specific internship requirements for students enrolled in our program to meet degree and eventual certification/licensure requirements. Will Project RAISE change any of our program’s standard procedures or requirements?
No. Project RAISE does not set any standard or requirements for the internship experience. All participants are required to comply with their university program and the school district’s procedures and requirements.
Does Project RAISE help applicants/participants find an internship placement?
No. Applicants are expected to take necessary steps, at the direction of or in collaboration with their university program. We are available to connect applicants with the appropriate personnel in Project RAISE districts, but we are not able to recommend or determine placement for any applicant/participant.
We require a signed agreement between the university (program) and the school district prior to allowing a student to begin their internship. Can we still request this from the school district?
Yes! University programs and school districts should follow all standard procedures when placing/accepting a student in an internship position. Neither Project RAISE nor TDOE are responsible/liable for placement decisions or the provision of services related to any participant (intern or supervisor).
All interns in our program are required to have a qualified field-based/site supervisor, as well as a university supervisor. What role does Project RAISE play in terms of supervision?
We are committed to supporting the field-based/site supervisors that participants are learning from and working together with during their internship. Field-based/site supervisors are generally identified by the school district and are considered to be participants of Project RAISE. As participants, supervisors receive a stipend for their role. We do not evaluate their qualifications or their performance in this role, as that is an expected function of the school district and/or university program.
Our program recently made the decision to remove a student from their internship and/or the degree program (or we were recently notified by the district that they were removed from the district). What happens next considering their participation in Project RAISE?
The university program and/or the school district are required to notify us immediately if the intern is removed from their internship and/or degree program (email April Ebbinger at April.Ebbinger@tn.gov). The participant will not be required to repay stipend funds that have already been paid to that point, but they will forfeit any additional funds that might have been expected and be relieved of any associated project requirements.
Responsibilities
| Project RAISE | The Intern | The District | The University | District & University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project RAISE assumes no liability and in no way replaces the standards and guideline universities and districts must follow related to graduation, licensure, and employment. | Intern interest does not guarantee they will receive Project RAISE grant funds. _________ If the university removes an intern for any reason, the intern forfeits receiving any additional funds after the removal. | The district is responsible for interviewing the intern to determine suitability. | The intern’s university is responsible for vetting the appropriateness of the internship site and ensuring the site satisfies applicable degree and licensure requirements. | The district and university are responsible for ensuring the intern has passed all applicable background checks. |
| Project RAISE only provides funds to individuals who intern in the rural districts served by the program. | Project RAISE interns agree to stay in Tennessee for at least two years post-internship, and if they leave Tennessee public schools before the two years of service are completed, they may be required to repay the grant funds received. | The intern and supervisor must attend a Project RAISE event during the summer preceding the internship experience. | The university is responsible for identifying and selecting internship supervisors. If the district needs support in identifying a supervisor, the Project RAISE leadership team can assist. | If the university removes an individual from an internship site for any reason, the intern, district and university are responsible for emailing Dr. April Ebbinger at april.ebbinger@tn.gov within 24 hours of that removal. |
| The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is not responsible nor obligated to place the intern in a school district. | The intern and supervisor must attend a Project RAISE event during the summer preceding the internship experience. | If the university removes an intern for any reason, the intern forfeits receiving any additional funds after the removal. | ||
| If the university removes an individual from an internship site for any reason, the intern, district and university are responsible for emailing Dr. April Ebbinger at april.ebbinger@tn.gov within 24 hours of that removal. |