A conference to raise issues about the training and continuing education of teachers will be held Saturday, March 25, and sponsored by the Greater Rochester Association for Teacher Educators, a new group.

Organized by David Hursh, director of teacher education at the University of Rochester's Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, the one-day gathering will look at the benefits of collaboration between teacher education programs and schools, and ways for new teachers to get the support necessary for success. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Roberts Cultural Life Center at Roberts Wesleyan College.

The first half of the program will pinpoint the problems and possibilities for universities and colleges to work with elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The remainder of the day will deal with improving programs for teacher preparation and the continuing education of teachers.

Panelists come from all areas of academic life. The University of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College, the Fairport School District, Nazareth College of Rochester, Rochester City School District, and the State University of New York at Geneseo will be among those represented.

The event has been organized by GRATE, a new association comprised of teachers and teacher educators, who are committed to improving the pre-service and continuing education of teachers. Membership is free; new members can register at the conference.

Admission to the conference is $3 for university students, $8 for others. For more information about GRATE or the conference, contact David Hursh at (585) 275-3947, or e-mail dhrh@troi.cc.rochester.edu.