Restructuring Education Around Clinical Practice in High-Need Schools: Project REACH

Restructuring Education Around Clinical Practice in High-Need Schools: Project REACH Special Education Preservice Program Improvement Grants (CFDA Number 84.325T) ABSTRACT Restructuring Education Around Clinical Practice in High-Need Schools: Project REACH is designed to address the need for highly qualified teachers (HQT) prepared to serve students with high-incidence disabilities in high-need urban schools. It addresses this need by restructuring of the existing personnel preparation program in mild/moderate disabilities at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), providing a clinically based model of teacher preparation. Project REACH will integrate coursework with practicum experiences, build candidates' expertise in assistive and instructional technology, enhance competency in subject matter knowledge with an option for dual certification, and provide ongoing support for program completion and induction. The Special Education Department at CSUN will implement Project REACH in collaboration with the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education, Colleges of Humanities and Science and Mathematics, and the Los Angeles Unified School District and other Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Specific objectives of the project will be to: 1. Redesign the program, providing courses that are fully grounded in clinical practice and interwoven with evidence-based interventions. 2. Build expertise in the use of assistive and instructional technology, including application of universal design for learning (UDL) in regular education classrooms. 3. Prepare highly qualified teachers (HQT) who are knowledgeable in core academic subjects, and able to provide effective services and instruction to students with high-incidence disabilities. 4. Structure high quality supervised practica in high-need schools, with a focus on improving student outcomes through data-driven and collaborative practices. 5. Provide ongoing academic support and mentorship to enhance candidates' successful completion of the program and retention in the field.

The first year of activities focused on restructuring the existing on campus program. The second year of activities concentrated on implementation of the redesigned curriculum and the development of dual certification programs with faculty from elementary and secondary education. The last three years of the program will be devoted to the evaluation and improvement of coursework, including implementation of the Mursion Simulation System for clinical practice. Throughout the program and during induction, candidates will be provided ongoing academic support and mentorship.

Candidates completing the redesigned program will receive a Preliminary and Clear Education Specialist credential in mild/moderate disabilities; those who choose a dual-certification will also receive a credential in either elementary or secondary education. It is anticipated that approximately 100 students per year will receive Preliminary Education Specialist certification in the restructured program.