by The Personnel Improvement Center (PIC) has played a vital role in improving access to special education personnel preparation programs across various states. By forging statewide partnerships and implementing accessibility plans, PIC has helped high-need communities gain access to special education coursework and training programs.
Under the leadership of Dr. Lisa Churchill, the initiative has assisted state and local agencies in identifying resource gaps, developing partnerships, and increasing the number of qualified special education professionals. The initiatives include state-level collaborations, preparation program partnerships, and innovative training models such as the Denver Teacher Residency Program.
Enhancing Special Education Personnel
| Initiative | Objective | Key Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State Department of Education | Expand recruitment, preparation, and retention of highly qualified special education personnel | Increased accessibility to special education coursework in high-need communities |
| West Virginia Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Initiative | Address critical shortages of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in West Virginia | Developed partnerships to increase the number of fully certified SLPs in local districts |
| Utah Personnel Preparation Partnerships | Assist the Utah DOE and local districts in implementing preparation partnerships with universities | Provided accessible training and funding guidance to future special education professionals |
| Denver Teacher Residency Program | Train individuals with a bachelor’s degree to become exceptional teachers in high-need schools | Combined classroom apprenticeships with graduate coursework to develop skilled educators |
Minnesota: Expanding Special Education Workforce
The Minnesota State Department of Education, with support from Dr. Lisa Churchill, worked on recruiting, preparing, and retaining highly qualified special education professionals.
Key Actions Taken:
- Statewide meetings were conducted to develop and implement personnel preparation partnerships.
- Identified high-need communities where special education coursework needed to be more accessible.
- Created partnership agreements with local universities and community organizations.
Impact:
- Increased availability of special education training for community members.
- Improved recruitment and retention rates for qualified special education teachers.
West Virginia: Increasing Speech-Language Pathologists
In West Virginia, the Personnel Improvement Center helped address the critical shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs).
Collaboration with State Leaders:
- Dr. Churchill and Dr. Rice worked with West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) leaders.
- Developed Speech-Language Pathologist Preparation Program Partnerships (PPPs).
- Secured resources to train, certify, and retain more SLPs in local districts.
Outcomes:
- More fully certified SLPs recruited and retained in high-need areas.
- Strengthened SLP training programs in local school districts.
Utah: University-School Partnerships for Special Education
The Personnel Improvement Center (PIC) partnered with the Utah Department of Education and local districts to improve special education teacher training.
Webinar and Training Support:
- Hosted a free webinar featuring Dr. Lisa Churchill on building university-school partnerships.
- Provided training materials to support school districts, including:
- Preparation Program Partnership Activity Plan
- Financial Aid Guidance
- Six-Step Application Process
Granite School District Partnership:
- Implemented an action plan with Utah State University to make teacher preparation coursework more accessible.
- Helped local administrators and faculty develop customized training programs for special education teachers.
Denver Teacher Residency Program: A Model for Training Educators
The Denver Teacher Residency Program is a high-impact training model for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who want to enter the field of education.
Program Features:
- Clinical classroom experience in urban, high-need Denver public schools.
- Apprenticeships with skilled lead teachers.
- Graduate coursework at the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education.
- On-the-job training while teaching in special education classrooms.
Program Impact:
- Trained new educators to effectively teach in special education settings.
- Provided a structured, hands-on learning experience to improve teaching skills.
- Increased teacher retention rates in high-need schools.
Conclusion
The Personnel Improvement Center (PIC) has successfully implemented state and local education initiatives to expand access to special education training programs. By forging university-school partnerships, addressing workforce shortages, and providing financial aid resources, PIC has made significant strides in recruiting and retaining highly qualified special education personnel.
Innovative programs like the Denver Teacher Residency Program serve as models for developing future educators through practical experience and graduate coursework. These initiatives continue to enhance the quality of special education services across various states.
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