OSEP 2013 Project Directors’ Meeting

1. Partnership for Quality Preparation of Special Education Paraprofessionals in Community Colleges OSEP 2013 Project Directors’ Meeting

2. Presenters • Rashida Banerjee, University of Northern Colorado • Ritu Chopra, University of Colorado Denver • Donna Sobel, University of Colorado Denver • Deana Buck, Virginia Commonwealth University • Kim Gregory, Virginia Western Community College • Bob Algozzine, University of North Carolina at Charlotte • Leigh Kale D’Amico, University of South Carolina

3. Collaborative 325N OSEP Projects • Funded under 325N competition focused on: • Improving quality of existing certificates/associate degree programs for paraprofessionals serving students with disabilities in early intervention through high school • Priorities: • Align curriculum with state/national paraprofessional standards • Incorporate evidence based and competency based practices into the content of each course including a high quality practicum experience • Train faculty at community colleges to teach the revised curriculum/practicum • Two Cohorts (2010 and 2011) – six projects

4. Guiding Questions for Session How do faculty members embed special education content in early intervention/early childhood and K-12 courses to prepare paraprofessionals? How have collaborations between 2-year and 4-year higher education institutions enhanced the preparation of paraprofessionals in early intervention/early childhood and K-12 special education?

5. Carolinas • University of South Carolina (Cohort 1) • To date, three technical colleges in differing geographic areas • More than 300 resources aligned with 11 courses at each colleges • Three overarching concepts • Inclusion • Individualization • Social Emotional Development • Website to encourage access

6. Carolinas • University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Cohort 2) • To date, one large, urban community college • 21 early childhood education courses infused with resources • Eight primary focus areas • Website to encourage access (www.acceptproject.org)

7. Colorado Collaboration with Colorado Community College System (CCCS) that oversees 13 community colleges to meet goals of three projects funded under 325N • Preparation of Paraeducators: Project Prep (Cohort 1) – k-12 focus • The use of CEC K-12 paraeducators standards to revise the K-12 paraeducator programs for matrix creation and curriculum review - 6 courses • Training and coaching of community college faculty to deliver the redesigned curricula.

8. Colorado • Hybrid Comprehensive Training of Paraprofessionals in Early Intervention Services (Cohort 1) – early intervention focus and Preparing Paraprofessionals for ECE (Cohort 2) with preschool focus • Creation of early intervention and early childhood paraprofessional standards based on national and state early childhood personnel standards • Revision of curriculum for the two categories of paraprofessionals – 17 courses and 13 courses respectively • Training of the faculty to for the projects - planning in progress. • Articulation with 4 year programs

9. Virginia • Virginia Commonwealth University(Cohort 1) • 9 community colleges across the state • 6 courses modified through stakeholder participation and input • Required content and optional content for each course • Measuring change in student knowledge and faculty knowledge • Resources for faculty in multiple formats

10. Virginia • Faculty Professional Development: • Driven by faculty needs assessment • Held on-site orientation and training for all staff • Held summits for all faculty • Offered 13 professional development events and activities this year

11. Discussion QUESTIONS COMMENTS PERSPECTIVES EXAMPLES

12. Contact Information Carolinas • Bob Algozzine - rfalgozz@uncc.edu • Leigh Kale D’Amico - damico@mailbox.sc.edu Colorado • Ritu Chopra – ritu.chopra@ucdenver.edu • Rashida Banerjee - rashida.banerjee@unco.edu • Donna Sobel – donna.sobel@ucdenver.edu Virginia • Deana Buck - dmbuck@vcu.edu • Kim Gregory - kgregory@virginiawestern.edu