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New Grant Awards A number of new grants have been awarded that will help to support masters and doctoral level students through personnel preparation, leadership, research, and demonstration projects. Please note contact information and other links associated with the grants below to learn of support opportunities. Investigators: Ann Turnbull, Rud Turnbull, Mike Wehmeyer, Wayne Sailor This USDE four-year leadership training grant focuses on preparing five national leaders to make substantial and sustainable improvements in long-term outcomes for students with significant cognitive disabilities and their families. Students will have a special emphasis in assessment quality, instructional quality, family support, and policy. Students will enroll in School of Education and Department of Special Education core courses, as well as complete a research minor. They will also engage in leadership practica associated with strategic roles at local, state, and national levels. To learn more, link to the Beach Center’s Graduate Studies site. For further information contact Dr. Ann Turnbull (turnbull@ku.edu). Investigators: Chriss Walther-Thomas, Earle Knowlton, Deb Griswold This Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) grant will produce doctoral level (Ph.D.) teacher educators who can immediately apply evidence-based best practices in teacher education to improve university-based special education personnel preparation. Project participants will gain expert knowledge and skills in role functions pertinent to higher education teacher preparation: college teaching and research in teacher education; advisement, supervision and coaching of teachers; and public service via professional development. The project includes critical learning experiences that integrate the following four tools in each of these roles: (1) instructional and telecommunications technology; (2) exposure to and competence regarding cultural and linguistic diversity; (3) multiple approaches to research, development, and evaluation; and (4) development and nurturance of a collaborative learning community including higher education and public school faculty, teacher education candidates, and the doctoral student participants. To learn more, view article on Department website and flier. For further information contact Dr. Deb Griswold (dgriz@ku.edu), (785) 864-0701; Dr. Earle Knowlton (eknow@ku.edu), (785) 864-0544; or Dr. Chriss Walther-Thomas (chrisswt@ku.edu), (785) 864-0545. Investigators: Don Deshler, Keith Lenz Investigators: Wayne Sailor, Amy McCart This demonstration project funded by OSEP establishes a model center that works with schools in Kansas and Illinois to show a) how and when resources and systems are organized to ensure the success of all students in accordance with a response to intervention (RtI) logic model, and b) how individual supports and interventions for students with complex needs can be more effectively/efficiently provided. Specifically, the Center proposes to strategically apply validated approaches using a problem-solving rubric that fully encompasses and integrates school-wide positive behavior support and wraparound, a school mental health approach developed in Illinois and replicated widely in other states. Center resources will be strategically applied to ensure implementation of tertiary systems in demonstration sites already implementing school-wide approaches but struggling with the shift from categorical approaches into RtI logic driven integrated systems. To learn more, view article on Department website. For further information contact Wayne Sailor (wsailor@ku.edu), (785) 864-4950. Investigators: Ed Meyen, Don Deshler, John Poggio, James Miller Funded by the National Science Foundation, KU’s e-Learning Design Lab will be developing e-learning resources for preparing students with learning disabilities to pursue careers in math, science, engineering, and technology. The project will focus on improving students’ math skills by developing lessons for teachers to use in their classrooms and online tutorials for students with learning disabilities to use independently. The effectiveness of the lessons and tutorials, developed for grades six, seven and eight and aligned with math curriculum standards, will be researched during the three years funded by the grant. To learn more, view article on Department website. For information on Graduate Research Assistant opportunities contact Dr. Ed Meyen (meyen@ku.edu). Investigators: Mary Morningstar, Pattie Noonan The Transition Coalition will be working with the Arizona Department of Education to support up to 10 school districts to develop interagency teams for the purposes of strengthening the transition from school to adult life. This contract includes face-to-face training with the Arizona Community Transition Teams combined with an online Community of Practice as well as online resources, training and data collection efforts. For further information contact Dr. Mary Morningstar (mmorningstar@ku.edu), (785) 864-0682. Investigators: Mary Morningstar, Pattie Noonan The KU Transition Coalition will provide services for professional development and technical assistance to Missouri Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) consultants and school districts. These services include regional and district self-assessment of transition needs, development and facilitation of an online community of practice (COP) for the RPDC consultants to support and provide ongoing technical assistance, as well as a statewide COP for training and resource sharing. The Transition Coalition will be organizing online presentations from national experts and supporting an "Ask the Experts" forum via the statewide COP. In addition, the Transition Coalition will be providing online training and online short courses through the KU Special Education Department and KU Continuing Education to the RPDC consultants. For further information contact Dr. Mary Morningstar (mmorningstar@ku.edu), (785) 864-0682. |
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Contact Special Education Joseph R. Pearson Hall, Rm. 521 1122 West Campus Rd. University of Kansas Lawrence, KS 66045 3101 phone: (785) 864-0556 Related Info Report from the Chair Update on Faculty Comings & Goings |
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