Department of Special Education

Abstract

University of South Florida, Department of Special Education

Masters in Special Education

Project PRECISE (Preparing Regular Educators for Certification in Special Education)

The Department of Special Education at the University of South Florida, an Other Minority Institution (OMI), proposes to develop and implement Project PRECISE for 50 secondary education graduates/teachers from diverse backgrounds (two cohorts of 25 each) with funding from the Combined Priority for Personnel Preparation Focus Area d (CFDA 84.325K).  Project participants will complete a Master’s degree program in Special Education in 24-months, with a minimum of 60% of Project funding designated for participants’ support. This program will meet several national needs: the critical shortage of special educators, the need for “highly qualified” teachers certified in both secondary content and special education, and educators from underrepresented groups.

Project P.R.E.C.I.S.E. will work closely with surrounding districts including: Hillsborough County, the 10th largest district in the nation; Pasco County, the 38th fastest growing county in the nation; and Polk County, the 8th largest district in Florida. The region surrounding USF is distinctive in geographical location and composition as it works in partnership with schools to provide professional development to pre-service and in-service teachers in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Specifically, the Department offers a unique peer-mentoring model, the Professional Practice Partners (PPP), which offers ongoing training to meet the needs of students through regular contact, observation, and feedback. In addition, a Project Graduate Research Assistant will conduct site-visits with all students.

Another essential component of the project will be a weekly Professional Development seminar to address issues and trends in diverse educational settings. The seminar is structured around core issues including diversity, cultural competence, family engagement, and reflective practice. The seminars also serve as a forum for discussion of critical incidents and peer mentoring.

Students will gain competencies in research-based best practices for assisting adolescents with disabilities in accessing the general education curriculum and successful transitions for optimal post-school outcomes. The program will maintain a focus on content enhancement and learning strategies as well as the use of differentiated instruction, universal design, and technology as tools to ensure access to the general education curriculum by student with disabilities. To this end, teacher participants will have access to state-of-the art technology through the USF iTunes University pilot program, the Laptop Initiative and the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, each of which are integral entities of the USF College of Education, which is ranked in the top 25% of graduate schools by the U.S. News & World Reports. In addition, students will have the opportunity to take up to 50% of their coursework in an online format.

The proposed products and outcomes from Project PRECISE are:

• An increased number of highly qualified teachers certified in special education

• Increased knowledge, identification, and implementation of evidence-based practices to meet the needs of exceptional learners

• Increased knowledge and use of data to inform instruction

• Improved ability to meet the needs of diverse learners

• Ability to conduct action research in the classroom.

• Professional Development Modules developed by program participants

              In addition to the school-based outcomes, candidates will participate and present at state and national conferences and facilitate workshops with Project faculty. Also, Project faculty will author monographs and develop and maintain a website to include information on outcomes and student products.

for more information please contact

Dr. Patricia Alvarez McHatton