ImpACT -Improving Arizona's Capability to Teach:  A Personnel Preparation Project Concentrating on Low-Incidence Disabilities

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Improving Arizona's Capability to Teach:  A Personnel Preparation Project Concentrating on Low-Incidence Disabilities

Purpose

The overall purpose of the ImpACT project is to provide Arizona’s practicing and future educators with the academic and field training necessary to provide children and youth diagnosed with low-incidence disabilities the best educational experience possible.

Through the ImpACT project undergraduate and graduate curricula in both early childhood special education and severe/profound disabilities were formalized at NAU. Additionally, the project provided partial tuition support to students desiring training in these two specializations.

The primary goal for project activities at Northern Arizona University (NAU) is to develop and formalize courses of study for Preschool Special Education, and School Age Low-incidence Special Education. With the establishment of appropriate course and field work, the College of Education gives NAU students an "Institutional Recommendation" (IR) that will allow them to apply to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) for certification in Severe/Profound disabilities. Students preparing to teach preschool-age children will not have an IR and must submit their transcripts to the certification unit of the Arizona Department of Education.

Project Description

The ImpACT project, funded by the Arizona Department of Education, is designed to give university-level instruction to graduate students in the area of "low-incidence disabilities" leading to certification in either Early Childhood Special Education or Severe/Profound. Students who are certified teachers desiring specialization in either early childhood special education or severe/profound disabilities will be encouraged to apply to the project. Accepted students will receive tuition support to complete their graduate degree and a certificate in either Positive Behavior Support or Autism.

To minimize ImpACT on students’ overall course loads, ImpACT curricula were delivered via live and online coursework. Curricula focus on best practices for working with individuals from 3 to 22 years old with low-incidence disabilities. Additionally, students will be required to participate in practicum, student teaching or internships at pre-approved class sites that provide experiences with preschool special education students, or school-aged students diagnosed in the severe and profound special education categories.

Why is ImpACT Important?

The southwest, and Arizona in particular, has seen a dramatic increase in population during the past two decades that is projected to continue. With this growth, the numbers of children diagnosed with low-incidence and severe disabilities in the state has also grown, but the number of qualified teachers has not. The ImpACT Project seeks to provide practicing and future educators with the necessary training and support to begin changing this trend.Participation in the ImpACT project will give students the academic and field experience required by the state of Arizona for eligibility to apply for a certificate in either Early Childhood Special Education or Severe and Profound. The graduating ImpACT student will have access to a greater number of employment opportunities than the graduate with a Cross-Categorical Special Education certificate alone.
Participation in the ImpACT project will give students the academic and field experience required by the state of Arizona for eligibility to apply for a Certificate in Severe/Profound Special Education. The graduating ImpACT student will have access to a greater number of employment opportunities than the graduate with a Cross-Categorical Special Education certificate alone.

Who Can Enroll in this Project?

Individuals who are currently certified to teach in Arizona are eligible to apply. We encourage students from rural communities and from culturally diverse backgrounds to participate.
Approved students receive stipends to assist with tuition.

For additional information about this project or how to apply, contact the Project Director or the Administrative Assistant for the project.

For further information contact:

Karen Applequist, Ph.D. Project Director, Early Childhood Institute for Human Development Northern Arizona University P.O. Box 5630 Flagstaff, AZ  86011-5630 e-mail: Karen.Applequist@nau.edu Telephone: (928) 523-9276

Susan Marks, Ph.D Low Incidence/Severe Profound Special Education College of Education Northern Arizona University P.O.Box 5774 Flagstaff, AZ  86011-5774 e-mail: Susan.Marks@nau.edu Telephone: (928) 523-8570

Linda Morrison Administrative Assistant Institute for Human Development Northern Arizona University P.O. Box 5630 Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5630 e-mail: Linda.Morrison@nau.edu Telephone: (928) 523-8339 Fax: (928) 523-9127