The State Department of Education has received a $1.5-Million grant from the federal government to expand the state’s “Transition to Teaching” project, which helps so-called “career changers” become successful classroom teachers. The three-year project is expected to increase the state’s ability to support nontraditional potential teachers as they move from other careers into teaching. The grant will cover two-thirds of the total cost. The Education Department has committed $250,000 in professional development funds to the project.