Colleges Collaborating for Teacher Preparation: Keys to Success
OSEP Project Director’s Conference, July 2013
Kathleen Bradley, Aurora UniversitySrimani Chakravarthi, University of
St. FrancisElizabeth Pearce, Lewis University
John Snakenborg & Therese Hogan, Dominican University
Layers of Collaboration
ACI member colleges (23)
TSPED schools (5)
Arts/Science and Education
Elementary/Secondary and Special Ed
K-12school
s
Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI)The Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) is a statewide network of 23 private colleges and universities rooted in the liberal arts tradition working with business, government, and community leaders to:
A. Enhance the strength of member institutions through collective action
B. Increase public understanding of the value and role of ACI colleges and universities
C. Help solve some of society's most pressing educational problems (i.e. Closing the achievement gap)
TSPED Schools (325T Cohort 2) University of St. Francis Aurora University Dominican University Lewis University Eureka University
TSPED: Transforming Special Education Teacher Preparation
Goals:1. Enhancing Math and Science Knowledge
in Candidates2. Enhancing field experiences in high-
needs schools3. Enhancing RtI knowledge and practice4. Enhancing use of Evidence-based
practices
T-SPED Collaboration Monthly meetings at ACI meetings
Workshops by each partner sharing vision and goals.
Workshops on evidence based practices (EBP) for ACI
members
ACI Summer Institute presentations
Presentations for ACI Induction Academies
Collaborative ventures (ex. Grant application, sharing
resources, conference presentations)
OSEP webinars
Program revision collaboration
Art and Science Collaboration
Dominican University(Graduate Level Program Only)
Collaboration between secondary science faculty and SPED faculty, infusing adaptation of instruction into science methods courses.
Developed and adapted a 5E lesson plan format
Art and Science Collaboration
Aurora University
Expanded Math for Elementary Teachers Two-course Sequence, adding an additional semester hour for each course to increase upper level algebra and geometry coverage.
Designed and offered integrated math and science course, focusing on physical sciences, engineering, and applied mathematics; an integrated biology course is currently being designed.
Art and Science Collaboration University of St. Francis
Science faculty in the University collaborate with Ed. faculty to create Physical Science and Life Science for Educators course, combining Science content and pedagogy.
Fine Arts faculty collaborate on course design and assessments to create Fine Arts Education program.
Ed. faculty with Science and Math faculty create activities like ‘Dispelling Science Misconceptions’ workshop.
Co-teaching Special Education faculty and General Education faculty (Science methods).
Art and Science Collaboration Lewis University
Expanded Math for Educators to three courses
Created Integrated Science I & II lab courses for education majors
Science methods courses now allowed to use new science labs for lab days
Dominican University SPED faculty provided workshop for the teacher
education faculty (U/G) on Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
Same workshop replicated for university wide faculty audience.
Developed and pilot tested a UDL lesson plan format.
Incorporated UDL into two required special education courses for all elementary and secondary teacher education candidates.
Elementary/Secondary and Special Education collaboration
Elementary/Secondary and Special Education collaboration Aurora University
Merged the content of three special education and ESL/Bilingual endorsement classes, helping candidates integrate and apply best practices for these populations.
Increased technology integration in special education math/science course, including a focus on application to promote candidate self-study of teaching effectiveness.
Changed focus of research methods course to a more explicit focus on candidate self-study of research-based practices for both the social and academic sides of the Response to Intervention triangle such that candidates will be even more purposeful in their instructional planning.
Elementary/Secondary and Special Education collaboration University of St. Francis
Dual certification program with elementary and special ed.
Co-teaching student teaching model in use.
Lesson planning based on Universal Design for Learning template. UDL training by special ed. faculty members
Special Education endorsement
Elementary/Secondary and Special Education collaboration
Lewis University
Methods courses are cross-listed in elem/sped so all benefit from gen ed and sped instruction
K-12 and Education Collaboration
Dominican University
Staff development with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) implementing evidence based practices, including RtI.
Development of new clinical practice sites.
Having faculty from K-12 partner schools teach related instructional methods courses.
Yearlong staff development for private school settings addressing needs of students with disabilities.
K-12 and Education Collaboration
Aurora University
Pre-student teaching field experiences centered in high needs school with a high percentage of English Language Learners, increasing experience with these issues before student teaching.
Established co-teaching model for student teaching, improving field experiences.
K-12 and Education Collaboration
University of St. Francis
Special Education practicum experiences and summer placements & Early childhood observations.
High-need school and ESL placements
Co-teaching workshops for co-operating teachers
JPDSP partnership activities
K-12 and Education Collaboration Lewis University
Created partnerships with area schools
Offering tutoring, RtI progress monitoring, educational events, campus field trips, and professional development
Collaborative creation of student teacher and field experience candidate evaluation tool
Created mentor meetings/co-teaching seminars for student teaching cooperating teachers
BECOMING AN OSEP PERSONNEL PREPARATION GRANTEE: CRITICAL REFLECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FIRST TWO YEARSDebra Hart & Maria PaiewonskyUniversity of MA Boston
Jennifer Goeke & Francesca CiotoliMontclair State University
OSEP Project Directors’ Conference2013
MSU: RESTRUCTURING PRESERVICE PREPARATION FOR INNOVATIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION (RePPrISE)
Project Goal: Restructure the Dual Certification MAT program according to 3 merged strands of teacher preparation: intensive content area preparation in
mathematics or science (according to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and Highly Qualified Teacher requirements of IDEA);
inclusive pedagogy (in compliance with CEC Standards);
integrative STEM education (According to the Standards for Technology Literacy).
UMB PERSONNEL PREPARATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION: KEY GOALS Masters Degree Track in Special Education with a focus
on Transition Leadership
Graduate certificate in Special Education with a focus on Transition Leadership
Develop and conduct an online, transdisciplinary 36-credit Master’s degree program
Recruit, retain and graduate 36 transition specialists
Establish Transition Taskforce to guide program development
OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION Interdisciplinary planning, collaboration, and
implementation activities that support the creation of integrated and merged general education/special education teacher preparation programs;
Strategies to secure, deepen, and maintain commitment from university and community partners
Outcomes and benefits of enlisting a critical friends team;
Challenges and unforeseen complications; What other (relatively) new grantees can learn
from our experience.
DISCUSSIONS AND STRATEGIES TO DEEPEN & MAINTAIN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS
Montclair State
MSU: Subject Area faculty and
Dean input into curriculum revisions and field experiences
Co-construct observable, measurable goals
Discuss mutual points of investment: Which parts of this do I see myself getting involved with? How much time will they require?
UMB: Discussions with
special education departments to discuss need, mentors
Discussions with strategic planning group
Discussion with state director of special ed- endorsement
Outcomes And Benefits Of Enlisting A Critical Friends TeamTeam of outside faculty and previous
325T granteesVisit once a year for 2 full daysTeam presents progress, plans,
challengesCFs ask critical questions intended to
move the project forwardWrite a brief report based on the visit
CHALLENGES AND UNFORESEEN COMPLICATIONS
Montclair State
Slow development of interdisciplinary collaboration
Slow movement of institutional mechanisms that support grantee-ship
Recruitment of math/science teachers in a stagnant teaching job market
UMass Boston• Department interest
(autism track; ELL track, transition track)
• Protocol for sign-offs• Faculty sabbatical• Slow movement through
committees- many discussions about which track course of study belongs in
• Faculty commitment to host proposal for grant staff
WHAT GRANTEES CAN LEARN FROM OUR EXPERIENCE Maintain ongoing communication with all partners Find and maintain faculty/dean allies If you encounter obstacles, don’t wait: push
through or go around Don’t get diverted; stay focused on a small
number of achievable goals Be comfortable with being uncomfortable Things move at a simultaneously slow and very
rapid pace; take time to reflect Reflect but always be looking forward Plan for sustainability
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1) What are successful strategies for enlisting the
support and collaboration of stakeholders in the grant collaboration and implementation process?
2) What are key considerations for maintaining a large grant project once it’s up and running?
3) What are our top 3 “tips” for grant implementation in the first 2 years?
CONTACT INFORMATION
Montclair StateJennifer GoekeAssoc. Professor, P.I.(973) [email protected]
Francesca CiotoliProject [email protected]
Montclair State UniversityDepartment of Secondary & Special Education
UMass BostonDebra Hart, DirectorEducation and Transition Team(617) [email protected]
Maria Paiewonsky, Project Director(617) [email protected]
Institute for Community InclusionUniversity of MA Boston