Eager to fill hard-to-place teaching jobs, while also increasing the diversity of its teaching ranks, the St. Paul Public Schools have launched a partnership with The New Teacher Project to add up to 250 math, science, bilingual and special education teachers over the next five years.

The program is called Saint Paul Teaching Fellows, and it has developed a fast-track alternative route to teaching for recent college graduates or working professionals who want to help St. Paul close the achievement gap between minority students and white students.

The application deadline for the first batch of teachers is Jan. 22. Those who are accepted to the program had better not blink; officials expect to have 30 to 40 new teachers trained and ready to go in September -- just nine months after receiving applications.

"There is a huge call, and a huge need for high achieving people who want to make a difference in the world," said Norah Barrett, site manager for Saint Paul Teaching Fellows. "We are looking for diversity. We are looking for excellence. I think St. Paul is trying to use all of their resources to help end this achievement gap."

The project launched its website last week. Prospective candidates can find information and apply to the program online at www.saintpaulteachingfellows.org.

The partnership is funded primarily through a $2.6 million Transition to Teaching grant through the U.S. Department of Education. The St. Paul Public Schools are putting $375,000 into the project, said Teresa Rogers, St. Paul's executive director of human relations.

"It's really exciting. We've only just begun, but I can already see a really focused effort," Rogers said. "We're really looking for individuals who want to teach, especially in urban districts."

Here's how it will work:

After applying online by Jan. 22, candidates will immediately begin going through the interview process. Officials will hold daylong interviews. Candidates who are invited to enroll in the program will have to take and pass several tests required by state law.

Those who pass the tests will help teach St. Paul summer school in the morning and go through intensive training at the program's institute in the afternoon.

After six weeks of comprehensive training, candidates will be employed as teachers by the St. Paul Public Schools and will begin work in September. At the same time, they will attend night school to earn their state teaching license in their subject area. That will take two years, Barrett said.

All along, the program will continue to take new applicants for its next batch of teaching candidates.

Prospective candidates must:

•Have a bachelor's degree.

•Have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher.

•Pass required subject matter tests.

•Cannot be a licensed teacher.

The New Teacher Project has been working with such school districts as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Mo., New York City, Dallas and Washington. In all, Barrett said, the project is working with 55 school districts in 26 states.

"We know that high quality teachers matter," she said.

Rogers said that the New Teacher Project is just one of several initiatives or partnerships the St. Paul schools are working with to add new teachers from all walks of life. The Urban Education Summer Scholars Program, the Collaborative Urban Educators, the Teacher Quality Enhancement Program and the Urban Teacher Program also attempt to broaden the net for future teachers, she said.

Currently, about 85 percent of St. Paul's teachers are white; only about 29 percent of the district's students are white.

"We're very serious and committed to that," Rogers said of recruitment. "And to having an inclusive workplace."

James Walsh • 651-298-1541