Partnerships in Educational Innovations Project
Project Description:
Since its inception in 1987, the Institute on Disability has sponsored professional development, systems change, and technical assistance throughout the state of New Hampshire on state-of-the art educational practices for students with severe disabilities and leadership training for administrators, educators, individuals with disabilities, and their family members. Beginning in 1993, the New Hampshire Department of Education has supported these efforts through the Institute’s Partnerships Project – a comprehensive professional development project designed to increase the capacity of LEAs to provide services and supports to students with severe disabilities within general education environments. As a result of that funding, support has been provided to virtually every LEA in the State resulting in improved educational outcomes for students with severe disabilities.
In alignment with the goals of IDEA, the New Hampshire Department of Education, and the Governor's Best Schools Initiative, the Partnerships Project described in this application will provide high quality professional development leading to improved student learning results and other valued educational outcomes that include:
* live at home with their families;
* attend local neighborhood schools and are members of general education classrooms with age appropriate peers who do not experience disabilities;
* have access to early care and education experiences respectful of family values;
* have access to the general education curriculum;
* are fully integrated and active members within their home communities;
* achieve high standards in literacy and other academic areas as demonstrated by the NH Assessment and other performance based measures;
* graduate from high school; and,
* achieve of successful post-school options, including careers and post secondary education.
In order to achieve the student learning results listed above, the project during the 2002 - 2003 year will accomplish the following "intermediate" outcomes:
* At least 1500 educators, administrators, related service providers, paraprofessionals, families will be trained through workshops and seminars at school specific sites and regional locations.
* Thirty-five (35) adults with disabilities and family members of students or adults with disabilities will participate in the New Hampshire Leadership Series.
* Schools in NH will receive a minimum of 450 visits of technical assistance.
* Ten (10) members of the Institute’s Educator’s Network will provide consultation to their colleagues throughout the state.
* Two (2) trainees from the Institute’s Inclusion Facilitator Training Program in Severe Disabilities will be involved with the project through the provision of intensive systems change assistance to their school districts.
*Policy papers will be developed around identified key issues related to the education and support of children and youth with severe disabilities, including issues relating to preschool age children and transitions (school-to-school, grade-to-grade, school-to-post school life).
* Resources will be developed and disseminated, through existing library and resource centers.
* Best practices for children and youth with disabilities will be infused into the curricula and internship supervision of teacher preparation programs in the state,
* A comprehensive training and technical assistance needs assessment will be conducted and used to develop future professional development efforts.
Keyword(s):
Students, Educational Innovations, trainings, technical assistance
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
