Maine State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG)
Purpose
This project is designed to improve and sustain the knowledge and skills of personnel in delivering scientifically based instruction based on the analysis and use of data. The project will also focus upon strategies and practices that are effective in promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of highly qualified special education teachers.
SPDG Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Expand and improve Maine’s system of recruitment, preparation, and certification of special education teachers and related services personnel |
Objective 1.1 Scale-up with two University of Maine campuses the recruitment and retention activities of diverse populations, and coordinate activities with LEAs in the campuses’ service areas using recommendations from “Assuring Highly Qualified Special Education Teachers in Maine.”
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Objective 1.2 Increase the knowledge and skills of fifty-eight educational interpreters so they become qualified.
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Objective 1.3 Provide professional development and support to teachers in alternate certification routes to increase the number of highly qualified teachers who serve students with disabilities
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Objective 1.4 Increase the number of teachers with dual certification in general and special education.
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Goal 2: Improve professional development and supports to administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals working with students with disabilities to meet the targets of Maine’s State Performance Plan (SPP). |
Objective 2.1 Develop and implement data-driven professional development and supports to LEAs that are based on the analyses of baseline data on SPP indicators and identification of Levels of Determination (as proposed in IDEIA draft regulation300.603)
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Objective 2.2 Develop, pilot, and test a wraparound intervention model to increase the number of LEAs that improve the performance of students with disabilities in one or more SPP indicators.
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Goal 3: Improve the quality of personnel working with infants and toddlers through the use of scientifically-based professional development |
Objective 3.1 Increase the knowledge and skills of teachers, service coordinators, service providers, and evaluators of infants, toddlers, and preschool children in scientifically-based or evidenced-based practices so children: (a) develop positive social-emotional skills (including social relationships; (b) acquire and use early language/ communication; and (c) demonstrate appropriate behaviors to meet their needs (SPP Indicators C3, B7).
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Method
The project will work with University of Maine campuses to scale up the recruitment and retention of diverse populations in teaching. Coordinating activities with districts in the campus areas will also be scaled up, using recommendations from the "Assuring Highly Qualified Special Education Teachers” model. Included in this scope of work will be increasing the knowledge and skills of educational interpreters so that they become qualified; providing professional development and support to teachers in alternative certification routes; and increasing the number of teachers with dual certification in general and special education. In order to meet the targets of Maine’s State Performance Plan (SPP), the project will also focus on improving the professional development of, and supports to, administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals working with students with disabilities. The knowledge and skills of teachers, service coordinators, service providers, and evaluators of infants, toddlers, and preschool children will also be expanded with respect to scientifically based or evidence-based practices, so that children develop positive social-emotional skills, acquire and use early language communicating, and demonstrate appropriate behaviors in school settings.
Outcomes
The project anticipates that educators will increase their knowledge and use of student performance data and scientifically based and evidence-based practices to meet the needs and improve the performance of students with disabilities. Hence, students with disabilities will (a) meet the standards of Maine's Learning Results as assessed on the Maine Educational Assessments; (b) graduate from high school; and (c) enter postsecondary education and employment. Further, increased numbers of families with children with disabilities will be actively involved in their children's education and in professional development activities.
Grant/Contract # |
H323A060006 |
Program |
State Personnel Development Grants Program |
Competition |
State Personnel Development Grants |
Title |
State Professional Development Grant to Improve Maine's System of Personnel Preparation and Professional Development |
Project Director(s) |
Rosen, Pam |
Organization |
Maine Department of Education |
Address |
3 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023
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Telephone |
207-624-6648 |
Fax |
207-624-6651 |
E-mail |
Pam.Rosen@maine.gov
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Beginning Date |
9/1/2006 |
Ending Date |
8/31/2011 |
updated 10/26/07 dd
