Training and Technical Assistance in Early Childhood
Project Description:
There are two areas of emphasis in this proposal ? (1) On site Technical Assistance to Rhode island public schools re: Students with Autism and re: Use of effective practices in developing whole school inclusive models; and (2) Universal Design for Learning.
On Site Technical Assistance
The number of children with Autism is increasing rapidly both in the country and in Rhode Island. Incidence figures are estimated to be 1 in every 150 children. Teacher preferences for professional development indicate a preference for on site technical assistance. Amy Grattan has been a RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Autism Fellow for the past three years. This project will create an opportunity to provide technical assistance to teachers in RI public schools.
Similarly, RI has a need to develop effective models for whole school inclusion. IDEA 2004 calls for the promotion of whole school models. Antosh (2004) conceptualized a research definition of the essential components required to effectively implement whole school models of inclusion. One of these components is the use of on site inclusion coaches. This project proposes to select 5-8 schools during each year of the project as demonstration sites for whole school inclusion. Amy Grattan will serve as the inclusion coach for these demonstration schools.
Universal Design for Learning
Sherlock Center is proposing a professional development program that will raise awareness about principles and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to classroom practice in the k-12 educational setting and will support the application of UDL to the development of curriculum units that will be implemented in instructional practice. CAST will be the primary presenter. CAST proposes to support the implementation of the new curriculum units in educational practice.
Keyword(s):
Autism Inclusion Universal Design
Core Function(s):
Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
