CFDA:84.325T Special Education Preservice Training Improvement Grants
Project EC-NET: Exceptional Children Need Exceptional Teachers
Project Director: Richard G. Welsch, Ph.D.
rwelsch@utoledo.edu
The University of Toledo, Judith Herb College of Education is pleased to announce that the proposal for Project EC-NET (Exceptional Children Need Exceptional Teachers) which was submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs was successful. Project EC-NET is a responsive personnel preparation program designed to address the new Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT) requirements.
Project EC-NET is a five-year (2007-2012) under-graduate level personnel preparation program which focuses on the appropriate training of Intervention Specialist: Mild/Moderate Educational Needs. The primary focus of Project EC-NET is to revise the current special education licensure program to be consistent with best practices in special education, to revise the current program to meet HQT requirements, to develop mentoring and induction in core content areas for special education teachers, and to recruit and train students from minority populations. The specific Project goals are:
- To provide a comprehensive program of study that supports learning that will lead to sustained positive impacts for pupils with special needs.
- To ensure that students who complete the project appropriately demonstrate the knowledge and skills targeted by the program of study.
- To alleviate shortages of fully licensed special educators who meet HQT requirements across Ohio.
- Within a general program of study leading to an Intervention Specialist license, provide a specific focus on the unique roles and responsibilities of special education teachers who share responsibilities with gen ed. teachers.
- Create a system of support for special education teachers by involving core-academic content specialists in professional development activities designed to help them understand best practices and curriculum
- Increase the quantity and enhance the quality of web-based resources for special education teachers as well as those with whom they work.
