Ohio University (OHIO) was awarded a Teacher Quality Partnership grant in partnership with the ESC allowing both entities to enhance the quality of OHIO’s special education teacher preparation program, which will improve the academic achievement of K-12 students. The program will result in a redesigned teacher residency in OHIO’s special education preparation program for learners, and development of a two-year induction program, in partnership with the ESC, for new special education teachers. The specific focus of the partnership is to look at training and mentoring special education teachers to deliver effective STEM and computer science teaching to students.
The ESC and OHIO will train 104 prospective special education teachers who graduate from OHIO and attain their initial Ohio licensure for teaching K-12 students with moderate-to-intensive needs, and who obtain ESC micro credentials in the teaching of computer science. This redesigned training with OHIO and ESC’s new induction supports for program graduates are expected to decrease the attrition of special education teachers from the field, which has been a persistent challenge in the education of students with moderate-to-intensive needs.
Prospective teachers in the STEM+ FOR ALL program receive the following financial supports:
- Stipend up to $27,450 to offset the cost-of-living expenses while completing the program
- Stipend up to $8,000 in TEACH Grant funding
- Additional federal financial aid based on financial need
- Limited number of full scholarships to cover program tuition and fees available for qualifying students