The Department of Education has awarded Alabama A&M University (AAMU) and the College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences (CEHBS) a $1.25 million FY2023 Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) Personnel Development grant.
The award is for personnel development to improve services and results for children with disabilities, personnel preparation of special education, early intervention, and related services at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and other Minority Serving Institutions.
The 5-year, $1.25-million-dollar award will fund 25 AAMU scholars to obtain their master’s degree in special education with Alabama state certification. Dr. Tamar F. Riley, Associate Professor of Special Education, and Dr. Adrain Christopher, Assistant Professor of Special Education, are the Co-PIs for this award.
“We are calling this Project STRIVE (Specialized Teachers Responsive in Interventions for Varying Exceptionalities) and plan to implement inclusive practices to provide support of students with high intensity needs,” states Riley. “Our STRIVE scholars will be prepared to develop, deliver, and evaluate research-based interventions; conduct and report action research to demonstrate the effects of implementing interventions; and provide professional development in implementing data driven interventions through coaching support.”
AAMU will start recruiting students across the state in Spring 2024, with the first cohort of scholars in place in Fall 2024.
“The award is critical to support the preparation of diverse scholars in acquiring highly effective practices to improve the outcomes for students with disabilities in our K-12 schools across Alabama. Scholars will receive comprehensive support in developing evidence-based practices to implement data driven decision making,” adds Riley.
“Two cohorts of scholars will be fully supported to earn Class A certification in special education,” says Christopher. “Each scholar will experience a comprehensive coaching model to ensure development and demonstration of practices supported by research.”
PULSE! 