Purpose
The project will address Rhode Island's shortage of certified special educators by expanding pathways into the profession for paraprofessionals and educator-focused CTE graduates through an undergraduate Registered Apprenticeship model. Expected outcomes include increased enrollment and completion of special education preparation programs, increased numbers of fully certified special educators, reduced reliance on preliminary certificates, improved educator implementation of evidence-based and High-Leverage Practices, strengthened family engagement, increased educator retention, and improved educational outcomes for differently-abled students (DAS).
The project will be implemented through a partnership among RIDE, Rhode Island College, LEAs, RIPIN, and CTE programs. Apprentices will receive paid employment, tuition assistance, mentoring, coaching, advising, competency-based clinical experiences, and participation in Communities of Practice. Professional learning will focus on evidence-based practices, High-Leverage Practices, and family engagement. RIDE will oversee project management through a cross-agency implementation team and continuous improvement processes. Evaluation will use administrative data, participant outcomes, surveys, interviews, observations, and document reviews to assess implementation fidelity, educator preparation outcomes, retention, and impact on educator practice and DAS outcomes.
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