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Recruiting Highly Qualified Students for Doctoral Study at the University of Illinois

Published on 27 October 2011 in Graduate students and News. 0 Comments

Project LEAD
Preparing Leaders in Special Education, Access, and Data-based Decision
Making in High-Need Schools

Recruiting Highly Qualified Students for Doctoral Study at the University of Illinois

The purpose of Project LEAD is to prepare knowledgeable, dynamic leaders in the field of special education who have expertise in supporting students with disabilities to gain access to the general education curriculum in high-need schools. Project LEAD involves a) collaboration among faculty and doctoral students from the Departments of Special Education and other units in the college (i.e., Curriculum and Instruction, the Center for Education in Small Urban Communities); b) facilitating relationships between participants and leading researchers in the field of special education; and c)
developing intimate linkages with high-need schools locally and in Chicago. Project LEAD emphasizes five competency areas related to access to the general education curriculum:

  • Disability law and education policy
  • Improving outcomes through research and data-based decisions
  • Collaborative practices between regular and special educators in inclusive environments
  • Universal design for learning (UDL)
  • Service learning

Doctoral Program Support

  • Paid tuition
  • A yearly stipend for full-time 11-month participation
  • Annual stipend for conference attendance and research materials

Program Requirements
The Doctoral Program in Special Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign requires 64 credit hours beyond the master’s degree. Specialization in access to the general education curriculum will be achieved through:

  • Coursework: existing courses and newly created Advanced Topics courses on access;
  • Participation in the LEAD Seminar: bi-monthly meetings on research, teaching, and service issues related educating students in high-need schools;,
  • Technology: use of videoconferencing to engage with national and state experts; opportunities to use assistive and instructional technologies that promote access; and
  • Participation in traineeships: research, teaching, and service learning process on access in high need schools;
  • Early research and dissertation: an early research project and dissertation focused on access to the general education curriculum in high need schools.

Traineeship Experiences
Participants in LEAD complete a 20-hour paid traineeship each semester that focuses on research, teaching, or personnel preparation (depending on the semester) and allows collaboration with key faculty and leaders in the special and general education communities. Five types of traineeships are offered:

  • Collaborative research experiences with the trainee’s advisors on topics related to access to the general education curriculum
  • Research experiences addressing access to the general education curriculum in high need schools
  • Teaching experiences in university courses
  • Supervision experiences with student teachers in high need schools
  • Completion of a service learning project on access to the general education curriculum

A unique aspect of the program is its emphasis on access to general education in high-need schools. Through the Center for Education in Small Urban Communities at the University of Illinois, students have opportunities to partner with master teachers in high-need schools to conduct research, supervise student teachers, initiate service-learning projects, and apply concepts learned in their coursework and seminars to authentic situations in high-need schools. We believe the combination of coursework focused on current research and pedagogy related to accessing the general curriculum in high-need schools, and hands-on practice with research, teaching, and supervision in high-need schools prepares participants to serve as leaders in improving academic and functional outcomes for students with disabilities.

Doctoral Program Eligibility
To be eligible for the LEAD program, a doctoral student must have:

  • A Master’s degree in special education or a related field
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency
  • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0
  • 2 or more years of experience with individuals with disabilities in school or community settings
  • Goals consistent with the program
  • A strong interest in research in the area of access to the general education curriculum

Doctoral Program Application Process
Interested applicants should submit an application to the doctoral program in Special Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by going to the Department of Special Education website at http://education.illinois.edu/sped/AdmissionsDoctoral.html

For More Information Please Contact one of the Members of the LEAD Team :
Stacy K. Dymond at sdymond@illinois.edu
Lisa Monda-Amaya at lmonda@illinois.edu
Jan Gaffney at gaffneyj@illinois.edu
Karrie Shogren at kshogren@illinois.edu
1310 S. Sixth Street, 288 Education Building, MC-708, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-0260

Project LEAD is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Personnel Preparation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program.

Doctoral students who receive funding from Project LEAD will be required to meet service obligation requirements set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (http://www.serviceobligations.ed.gov/history.cfm)

Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

CEC Assistant Executive Director for PD

Published on 26 October 2011 in Administration, News, Positions in orgs and Professional development. 0 Comments

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is seeking an individual to direct the Professional Development Services team. Under the general direction of the Executive Director, you will provide leadership in the area of the annual convention; advance products for publications (including the journals, e.g., Exceptional Children) and for continuing education (e.g., the popular “Webinars”). CEC is seeking someone with an advanced degree and experience in special education.
The successful candidate must have a proven record in the following: strategic planning and management of products and services that are relevant and of high-quality; generating revenue in the areas of continuing education, journals/publications and the convention. Additional background required in budgeting and supervising a Professional Development staff.
This is a rare opportunity to provide leadership in one of the leading organizations focused on special education in the world. At CEC, you can play an important role in contributing to positive progress for special educators and the children, youth, and families they serve.
To view the full job description, please download a PDF announcing the position vacancy. Learn more about CEC and its professional development activities by visiting Professionl Development section of CEC’s Web site.

DI research fellows competition announced

Published on 13 October 2011 in Graduate students, News, Requests for proposals and Research. 0 Comments

The National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI), which is a not-for-profit organization that supports efforts to implement Direct Instruction (i.e., “big DI”) the right way, is continuing its on-going competition for fellowships to conduct research on DI. The fellowships provide a stipend as well as additional support (e.g., training) to researchers at the masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral level. Learn more by downloading the accompanying flier (it’s clickable) or going directly to the NIFDI Web site or the page about the fellowships itself.

NIFDI flier

Assistant professor at Villanova

Published on 3 October 2011 in News and Positions in higher ed. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Villanova University’s Department of Education and Counseling invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position effective Fall 2012. The Department seeks a teacher-scholar for a full-time, nine-month, Special Education position.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. Villanova seeks a diverse faculty committed to scholarship, service, and teaching, who understand, respect, and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Roles and Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be qualified to teach courses in special education at the undergraduate and at the graduate level, teaching five courses each year. In addition, the new faculty member will conduct and publish research in an area of expertise, serve as an academic advisor for education majors, and be an active member of both the Department, and the Villanova community.

Qualifications: Successful candidates must have a PhD in Education or a closely aligned discipline, or be near the completion of their doctoral degree. Specific knowledge of Special Education at the secondary K-12 level is required. Knowledge of Special Education law, US federal mandates, RTI, IEPs, and section 504 of the ADA is highly preferred.

Review of applications will begin December 2, 2011. Salary is competitive. For more information, please visit our website. Villanova University is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application: Applications should be submitted online at https://jobs.villanova.edu/

Please submit the following online:

  • Cover Letter/Letter of Interest
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of Teaching Philosophy
  • Summary of Teaching Evaluations
  • Writing Sample/ Publications
  • Statement of Research Interests

In addition, please mail:

  • Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  • 3 letters of recommendation

to: Dr. Edward Fierros
Villanova University
Department of Education and Counseling
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085

Illinois State Assistant/Associate Professor Special Education Administration

Published on 3 October 2011 in Administration, News and Positions in higher ed. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

The Department of Special Education at Illinois State University, a large public university with nationally recognized teacher preparation programs, invites applications for a tenure track position to be filled at the rank of Assistant/Associate Professor. The Department prepares approximately 1000 students at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Graduate programs include course work leading to certification as a Director of Special Education.

Qualifications: Applicants must hold an earned doctorate in special education, educational administration, or a related area (ABD considered) and have special education administrative experience in the public schools. The successful applicant will be expected to coordinate the Director of Special Education (DOSE) Post-Master’s Certification program at Illinois State University, teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and maintain an active research agenda. The Department is an ideal professional choice for an individual who wants to work at an institution where contributions in teaching, research, and service are expected and valued.

Application Procedures: Initial review of candidates will begin October 3, 2011, and continue until the position is filled. To assure full consideration, applicants should send a letter of application, curriculum vitae; official transcripts; and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least two professional references by September 30, 2011 to:

Carrie Anna Courtad, PhD
Chair, Search Committee
Department of Special Education
Campus Box 5910
Normal, IL 61790-5910
Phone: 309-438-7524
FAX: 309-438-8699
Email: cacourt /at/ ilstu /dot/ edu

Initial review of applications will begin on October 3, 2011 and continue until the positions are filled.

Charles M. Huechert 1933-2011

Published on 22 September 2011 in News and Obituaries. 0 Comments

Charles Melvin Heuchert died 20 September 2011 in Waynesboro (VA, US). Professor Heuchert, who was known as Chuck by many friends and colleagues, was born on 30 August 1933 in Henning (MN, US) to Karl and Amanda Lueker Heuchert. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a four-time graduate of the University of Michigan, completing Ph.D. studies in 1969.

After teaching engagements at Syracuse University, the University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University, Chuck joined the faculty at the University of Virginia. He was a member of the faculty at U.Va. in the special education program from 1969 through his retirement in 1998, serving in various capacities including as assistant and then associate dean for undergraduate studies and licensure.

Throughout a career that began as a teacher and spanned 40 years, Chuck was an active advocate for students with emotional and behavior disorders and a champion of compassion and caring for student’s emotional needs, promoting child-centered methods such as Life-Space Interviewing and Reality Therapy. In 1973 Chuck co-authored Pain & Joy in School with Edward W. Schultz and Susan M. Stampf and in 1983 he co-authored Child Stress and the School Experience with Schultz. In 1987-88 he served as president of the International Council for Exceptional Children, the world’s largest organization devoted to improving services for individuals with disabilities and the gifted.

Read an obituary from the Waynesboro News Virginian and the Curry School’s in memoriam

U. Washington special ed position

Published on 15 September 2011 in News, Positions in higher ed, Research and Teacher Education. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

University of Washington
College of Education
Area of Special Education

Assistant Professor of Assessment and Instruction of Students with
High Incidence Disabilities (tenure-line position)

THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SEATTLE, College of Education, seeks to fill a nine-month full-time position in Special Education at the level of assistant professor. We seek applicants with a doctoral degree in special education or closely related field with a scholarly focus on assessment and instruction of students with high incidence disabilities. Applicants should demonstrate an active research program in such areas as: assessment of academic skills, assessment of students with disabilities and those who struggle academically; development of effective instructional practices in reading, writing, and/or mathematics; or P-12 models of service delivery for students with disabilities.
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Open-Rank Special Education Position at Indiana University

Published on 1 September 2011 in News. 0 Comments

Indiana University Bloomington
School of Education – Department Curriculum and Instruction
Program in Special Education

Position in Special Education (Open Rank)

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education at Indiana University, the flagship campus of the Indiana University system and a major comprehensive research university, invites applications for an open rank faculty position in Special Education, to begin in August of 2012. The ideal applicant will be a nationally recognized researcher with a highly regarded grant writing and research program that focuses on issues relevant to Special Education. However, the Search Committee will also consider faculty with beginning research programs who demonstrate high promise.
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Deborah Speece Appointed Commissioner of National Center for Special Education Research

Published on 23 August 2011 in News, Public Policy and Research. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

D. Speece 2004

Deborah L. Speece was named as the Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) on 23 August 2011. NCSER is the leading branch of the US government’s effort to study educational innovation in special education and, as its head, Commissioner Speece will oversee a program that funds scores of research efforts including projects, evaluations, and multi-site centers throughout the US. She is the second commissioner of NCSER, and her appointment was greeted with substantial approval by the special education research community.

IES Director John Q. Easton announced the appointment of Deborah Speece as Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) effective August 23, 2011. Known for her innovative studies of the classification and diagnosis of learning disabilities, Speece is a national leader in special education research and response to intervention strategies.
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Glimpse of BlogHer discussions about disabilities

Published on 10 August 2011 in Conferences, News and The Press. 1 Comment

Over on Support for Special Needs Julia Roberts threw up a special report about a meeting of people attending the noted BlogHer conference who had an interest in individuals with disabilities. Ms. Robert’s post is entitled “Glimpse of Commonalities“. Check on it.

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