The US Department of Education has issued a call for proposals for projects to prepare special education professionals. Goodness knows, we need ‘em.
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Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities (Federal Register: November 27, 2007
[CFDA#s 84.325D, 84.325K, 84.325R, and 84.325T])
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Purpose of Program: The purposes of this program are to (1) help address State-identified needs for highly qualified personnel — in special education, related services, early intervention, and regular education — to work with infants, toddlers and children with disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined through scientifically based research and experience, to be successful in serving those children.
Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education (IHEs).
==> Preparation of Leadership Personnel — 84.325D
Applications available: 11/27/07
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 01/04/08
Estimated Range of Awards: $171,969-$200,000
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $196,200
Estimated Number of Awards: 25
==> Combined Personnel Preparation — 84.325K
Focus Area a: Training Personnel to Serve Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-school Age Children with Disabilities.
Applications available: 11/27/07
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 01/11/08
Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$200,000
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $175,000
Estimated Number of Awards: 14
Focus Area b: Training Personnel to Serve School Age Children with Low Incidence Disabilities.
Applications available: 11/27/07
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 01/11/08
Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$200,000
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $175,000
Estimated Number of Awards: 23
Focus Area c: Training Personnel to Provide Related Services, Speech/Language Services, and Adapted Physical Education to Infants, Toddlers, and Children with Disabilities.
Applications available: 11/27/07
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 01/11/08
Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$200,000
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $175,000
Estimated Number of Awards: 14
Focus Area d: Training Personnel in Minority Institutions to Serve Infants, Toddlers, and Children with Disabilities.
Applications available: 11/27/07
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 01/11/08
Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$200,000
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $175,000
Estimated Number of Awards: 14
==> National Outreach and Technical Assistance Center on Discretionary Awards for Minority Institutions — 84.325R
Applications available: 11/27/07
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 01/11/08
Estimated Range of Awards: $1,500,000
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,500,000
Estimated Number of Awards: 1
==> Special Education Preservice Training Improvement Grants — 84.325T
Applications available: 11/27/07
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 01/18/08
Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000-$150,000
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $125,000
Estimated Number of Awards: 21
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and other information are available in the Federal Register notice. Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2007-4/112707b.html
Vouchers and special education
A news story from the Salt Lake (UT, US)Tribune that ran prior to the defeat of the Utah initiative to implement a system of vouchers for K-12 education mentioned concern about private schools refusing to accept students with disabilities.
This got me thinking (often a dangerous process): What do we really know about implementation of voucher systems? Do schools operating under voucher policies dis- or mis-serve students with disabilities? I searched quickly and found an article by Susan Etscheidt, but little more (abstract appended).
Do any ‘pros know of unpublished studies about this matter?
Etscheidt, S. (2005). Vouchers and students with disabilities: A multidimensional analysis. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 16, 156-168.
Link to the Tribune article.