Accessing Curriculum in Educational Settings for all Students

(Project ACCESS) On-Campus Cohort - LBS I

LBS I Teaching Certification with

Emphasis on Multiple Disabilities

 

The purpose of Project ACCESS is to develop highly skilled, innovative special education teachers who are able to (a) assist students with low incidence disabilities to access and progress in the general curriculum, (b) create inclusive educational environments, (c) work effectively with culturally diverse populations, (d) incorporate research-based practices into teaching practices and curricula, (e) ensure positive educational and transition outcomes for students with low incidence disabilities, and (f) build strong ties through collaboration with families, teachers, and other professionals.  This program is designed for students wishing to pursue full-time study at the University of Illinois to obtain initial teacher licensure in special education (LBS1) with specialized expertise in multiple disabilities.

Unique Features of the Program

• Specialized Coursework and Topical Seminars - Students will receive concentrated coursework that prepares them to educate students with multiple disabilities.  Topical seminars will address advanced skills.

• Fieldwork Experiences - Skills learned through course work will be applied through participation in 4 semesters of practicum experiences in diverse schools that include a range of learners, including students with multiple disabilities.

• Research Experiences - During the first semester of their program, undergraduates will participate in a 1 credit hour research experience with faculty who are currently engaged in research in multiple disabilities in order to learn more about evidence-based approaches to educating students with multiple disabilities.  Graduate students will participate in a year-long course that focuses on research methods.  The culminating activity of this graduate course (and the program) will be an applied research project focused on implementing interventions with students with multiple disabilities.

• Service Learning Experience - All students will participate in a service learning project that enables them to learn more about multiple disabilities while providing a service to the community.

• Externships in Diverse Urban Settings - Students will participate in a 2 day externship in Chicago Public Schools to observe the education of students with multiple disabilities in urban, culturally and linguistically diverse schools at the elementary and secondary levels, and learn from faculty and staff at the sites they are visiting.

• Optional Summer Internships in the Chicago Public Schools - A 6-8 week optional summer experience will be available with the Chicago Public Schools.

• Optional Student Teaching in Chicago Public Schools - An optional student teaching experience will be offered to students who want to have their final student teaching placement in an urban school with students with multiple disabilities.

Eligibility

• Accepted into the LBS1 Program in the UIUC Department of Special Education

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident

• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0

• Demonstrated interest in developing skills in multiple disabilities

• Goals consistent with the program

Program Support for Undergraduate Students

• Stipend for participation in the two day Chicago externship

• On-site supervision of student teaching experiences in Chicago provided by project faculty based in Chicago

• Faculty mentoring in research and service learning

Program Support for Graduate Students

• Paid tuition

• A paid 9-month traineeship ($10,000)

• Stipend for participation in the two day Chicago externship

• On-site supervision of student teaching experiences in Chicago provided by project faculty based in Chicago

• Faculty mentoring in research and service learning

For More Information Please Contact:

Stacy K. Dymond, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Project Director, ACCESS

1310 S. Sixth Street

288 Education Building, Mc-708

Champaign, IL 61820

217-244-9763 (phone)

sdymond@illinois.edu

Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.