Two professors from Alabama A&M College have secured vital federal grants to boost the standard of schooling for college kids with disabilities within the state. Dr. Tamar F. Riley and Dr. Adrain Christopher have each acquired $1.25 million grants from the Workplace of Particular Training Applications to launch revolutionary initiatives centered on coaching various and certified particular schooling lecturers.
Dr. Tamar F. Riley’s Challenge PARITY
Dr. Tamar F. Riley, affiliate professor of particular schooling, will spearhead Challenge PARITY (Getting ready Superior Responsive Interventionists for Educating Youth). This initiative, set to unfold over the subsequent 5 years, is designed to offer scholarships for 30 multilingual lecturers of coloration searching for Class AA certification by way of the Training Specialist Diploma program. The grant goals to supply knowledgeable interventionists able to designing, implementing, and evaluating tier 3 evidence-based interventions that incorporate culturally responsive practices for college kids with disabilities.
“This grant presents a major alternative to enhance tutorial and behavioral outcomes for Ok-12 college students with disabilities by way of specialised, collaborative coaching offered by AAMU college and subject specialists,” stated Riley. “The funding won’t solely improve enrollment in our graduate packages however may even empower faculty districts throughout the state with extremely efficient interventionists who specialise in teaching and mentoring lecturers to make sure high-quality instruction for all college students.”
All through the five-year interval, the progress of collaborating students will likely be tracked to show the undertaking’s constructive affect inside the EdS in Particular Training program.
Dr. Adrain Christopher’s Challenge TEACH Like A Bulldog
In the meantime, Dr. Adrain Christopher, assistant professor of particular schooling, is launching Challenge TEACH (Coaching Educators for All Youngsters with Handicaps) Like a Bulldog. This initiative tackles the urgent scarcity of particular schooling lecturers in Alabama by offering monetary help for 60 students pursuing preliminary Class B certification in Particular Training by way of both the Bachelor of Science in Training diploma or the Short-term Particular Training Certificates program.
“Challenge TEACH Like a Bulldog will absolutely fund 60 students – comprising eight conventional undergraduates and 52 TSEC candidates advisable by the district – overlaying required coursework together with bills for books, provides, mentorship, {and professional} journey,” defined Christopher. The main focus is on recruiting candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, together with multilingual people and people with disabilities.
Cohort 1 for Challenge TEACH commenced in Fall 2024, whereas choice for Cohort 2 is anticipated to start in Spring 2025.
