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Pennsylvania's
Higher Education Initiative on Inclusion is a program of training
and technical assistance focused on the development of teacher preparation
programs that strive to meet the diverse learning needs of all children.
The purpose of the initiative is to develop an effective statewide
consortium of faculty and teacher preparation programs to more adequately
prepare teachers for today's schools.
It is expected
that by 2004, a minimum of 10 teacher education programs will have
transformed or modified their programs and/or courses so that future
teachers are better prepared to teach ALL students regardless of
their learning differences.
Essential
aspects of the initiative include:
Technical
Assistance to Teacher Preparation Programs: Through an
annual RFP process, 3 teacher preparations programs will participate
in a series of customized activities geared toward changing their
program of teacher preparation. Initiative staff and experts in
inclusionary practices will be available to provide on-site and
electronic (e)-technical assistance to each of the teacher education
programs participating in the initiative.
Faculty
Academy for Educational Change: The selected teacher preparation
programs will participate in the Faculty Academy for Educational
Change developed and implemented at Temple University. This
Faculty Academy includes information on:
1. Inclusive education,
2. Navigating the change process and
3. restructuring teacher education.
Statewide
Network of Faculty: The Development of a statewide network
of faculty with the competence, commitment, and confidence to implement
inclusive education programs in their institution is a major intent
of the initiative. Experienced faculty will mentor other newer faculty.
The members of the network will support each other as they engage
in statewide systems change of teacher education.
The Higher Education
Initiative on Inclusion is funded under a 3-year grant from the
Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
Diane Nelson Bryen,
PhD, Director
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For
more information, please contact:
Brian Berry, PhD,
Coordinator
E-mail: teache@temple.edu
Voice/TTY: (215) 204-1356
Voice: (215) 204-3031
Fax: (215)
204-6336 |
