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ASPIRE

Arizona’s Project to Recruit and Retain Special Educators

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Program Description and Requirements

Project ASPIRE is a partnership among Arizona State University at the West Campus (ASU-W) and six high need school districts. The aim of Project ASPIRE is to recruit and retain mid-career professionals and recent college graduates as special education teachers. This project will combine the activities of two highly acclaimed programs from ASU-W, the Master's and Arizona Certification (MAC) program in Special Education and the Professional Development School Teaching Excellence Network through Educational Technology (PDS-TENET). Participants will be eligible for Arizona certification in a State-approved alternative certification program within three semesters while being supported through high quality program delivery. This project is specifically designed to address the critical special education teacher shortages experienced in the high poverty partnership districts, while attending to the specific challenges of geographic location (urban or rural) and the delivery of a quality program in a timely manner. ASU-W aims to successfully prepare and place 20 new Special Education teachers during the first year of project activity, with a goal of 145 new special education teachers over the five years of project activity.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

  • Osborn Elementary District
  • Madison Elementary District
  • Avondale Elementary District
  • Chinle Unified School District
  • Gadsden Elementary School District
  • Indian Oasis-Baboquivari United School District
  • Douglas Unified District.

Incentives and obligations

Project ASPIRE will provide $5,000 per participant, prorated by semester, as a monetary incentive to defray the costs of tuition and other expenses. This stipend has a “teach or repay” service obligation; the participant agrees upon program completion to teach in a “high–need-school” of the partner district for three years. Participants will also take part in programs of support developed by the partner districts and ASPIRE staff, such as employment as a substitute or teaching assistant as positions become available, mentoring and other field-based experiences.

Masters and Certification in Special Education Program

The program in Special Education is a three semester alternative licensure program. Classes are taught in a cohort group using video conferencing to connect between ASU West and the partnering school districts. Internship experiences can be coordinated with employment as teaching assistants or long-term substitute teaching positions during the training period.

Qualifications and Requirements

Qualifications:
  • Bachelors degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Acceptance into Graduate School at Arizona State University

Needed For Certification:

U.S. and Arizona Constitution**

 

** Constitition requirements may be met by (a) ASU at the West campus courses,  (b) course equivalents (community college or university transfer), or (c) passing score on appropriate constitution tests (must submit original test score report).

 

 

 

 

 

Course of Study:

The following classes will be offered as a cohort group, with admission starting each fall semester


Fall

 

Credit Hours

BLE 522

Literacy/Biliteracy Development

3

EED 412

Mathematics in Elementary Schools

3

SPE 532

Systems, Policies and Program Practices

3

SPE 322

Behavior Management and Consultation

3

SPE 534

Assessment and Evaluation

3

SPE 397

Field Experience

0

 

 

 

Spring

 

 

RDG 531

Language and Literacy I

3

BLE 520

ESL Methods

3

SPE 540

Family-Centered Practices

3

SPE 535

Curricula, Methods, Technology, and Adaptations

3

SPE 533

Issues in Special Education

3

SPE 496

Field Experience

0

 

 

 

Summer

 

 

TEL 501*

Introduction to Research and Evaluation in Education

3

SPE 541*

Consultation Frameworks and Issues

3

 

 

 

Fall

 

 

SPE 578 **

Student Teaching in Special Education

12

SPE 593

Applied Project

3

  • *Courses are required to complete the M.Ed. but may be postponed until after student teaching
  • **Students who earn passing scores on the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment may be eligible to serve as a teacher of record while earning student teaching credit.

CheckSheet

Procedures for Application:

Because this program is an alternative licensure program tied to employment, admission into the ASPIRE Program is a joint decision of the partner school districts and Arizona State University. Application procedures involve three steps:  

  1. Completion of the Project ASPIRE supplemental candidate information.
  2. 2. Graduate admission into the M.Ed. Special Education with Arizona Certification program.
  3. 3. Interviews with partnering district personnel and Project ASPIRE staff.
  4. Acceptance letters sent out.
  5. Apply to School District.

Important Dates:

Coming Soon!

Contact Information

Ann Keith, Advisor                          For more information contact: CTELQuestions@asu.edu or
Office – FABS210F                          (602)363-6358.
Phone – (602)543-6318
Ann.Keith@asu.edu

Coleen Maldonado, Project Director
Office - FAB S353
Phone - (602)543-9802
Coleen.Maldonado@asu.edu

Kathleen Puckett, Principal Investigator
Office - FAB S243
Phone - (602)543-6379
Kathleen.Puckett@asu.edu

Scott Ridley, Prinicpal Investigator
Office - FABS221
Phone - (602)543-6346
ridley@asu.edu