Preparing Leaders to Leave No Child Behind

Contact: Rick Neel, 206-221-3060

Core Function: Technical Assistance and Outreach Training

The Preparing Leaders to Leave No Child Behind training program will prepare doctoral students to be future professors with strong academic, practice, and research skills in the core areas that will allow them to serve as leaders in the field of special education. Doctoral students participating in this program will demonstrate instructional excellence in preparing special education teachers.

Each doctoral student will work with a faculty mentor in a one-year sequence to develop competence in college teaching. Students will participate in developing and conducting weekly professional seminars, including modules in general education academics, multicultural competency, English language learners, and issues of research and practice.

In addition to completing requirements for a PhD, each student will demonstrate research skills in at least two research paradigms and present at an annual research symposium. They will develop competence in professional communication, technical writing, and grant preparation. They will also complete a one-year field-based partnership with a public school district to conduct research on assessment and instruction and support professional development of best practices needed to successfully implement the provision of IDEA and No Child Left Behind for students with disabilities.

The program will provide support to seven students for 2-4 academic years during the term of the project. Project activities will bridge current gaps between coursework, research instruction, and emerging practices in general as well as special education.

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@u.washington.edu