CT Aspiring Leaders in Special Education
Project Description:
The purpose of Connecticut Aspiring Leaders in Special Education is to develop leaders who will provide innovative and sustained leadership to the Connecticut special education system. The leadership program prepares educators interested in special education leadership roles through a competency-based program as illustrated by state and national speakers and learning activities that will culminate in a capstone project. The UConn UCEDD was awarded funding from the Connecticut Department of Education Special Education Bureau to revise the Aspiring Special Education Leaders Academy curriculum developed by the Virginia Department of Education, Division of Special Education and Student Services to implement a yearlong academy in CT. Each academy (cohort) consists of teachers and administrations currently working in the CT special education system who aspire to be leaders and take on a future role of a Special Education Director in CT. This initiative is critical as the state has a small pool of qualified applicants due to the number of districts in the state, an aging population of current special education leadership, and a high population of students who qualify for special education under IDEA. The participants attend weekly sessions on zoom and attend full day learning sessions in person where they hear lectures by National and State experts. Students are expected to demonstrate core program competencies by the end of the program. The competency areas include self leadership, leadership of policy, legal, and regulatory implementation, leading others, leading others to learn, managing operations and resources, leading improvement cycles and plans, and leading and evaluating systemic change initiatives. During 2024, we conducted this program with the third cohort of aspiring leaders.
Keyword(s):
Mental/Behavioral Health – Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Mental/Behavioral Health – General
Core Function(s):
Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
