Minot State University Department of Special Education receives $750,000 grant
MINOT, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has awarded the Minot State University Department of Special Education a $750,000 grant to develop student scholarships for paraprofessionals with a special education emphasis.
The scholarship money will empower paraprofessionals to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Special Education.
“We have paraprofessionals who currently work as special education aids throughout our state, but they are not fully certified as teachers. These dedicated people have already shown their ability to work with, and their commitment to, students who have special needs,” Kirsten Baesler, DPI state superintendent of schools, said during the Aug. 10 North Dakota COVID-19 Response Press Conference. “The Department of Public Instruction, the governor’s office, and our state partners are partnering with Minot State University to offer scholarships to these paraprofessionals.
“Minot’s proposal is a research-based special education preparation program that addresses special education shortages in North Dakota. MSU’s Special Education Shortages CARES Act Project is a unique pathway for paraprofessionals currently working to support students with disabilities to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a major in Special Education.”
The two-year project will support 20 candidates as they complete their degree through a paraprofessional to teacher pathway. The project is a continuation of a pilot grant Minot State received in April 2020 for $252,000.
The pilot grant began May 27 and is supporting a cohort of nine candidates as they complete their Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Special Education over a two-year period.
“This program will begin to help increase our supply of licensed special education teachers who are trained in distance learning education. I should note that there is a high demand for this opportunity,” said Baesler. “For the nine openings for the summer, there were over 70 applications. Our additional support for 20 more scholarships will go a long way.”
The grant will cover the cost of tuition for all six semesters, and courses, seminars, and interactions with Minot State’s expert faculty will be offered through accessible distance technology. Candidates will continue to work in their paraprofessional position while completing the program and will receive on the job mentoring and modeling from the administrator and special education teacher.
“New challenges need new solutions. There is a shortage of special education teachers nationwide including North Dakota. This grant will allow us to design and implement another pathway for folks to finish their degree and fill this need,” Holly Pedersen, Minot State University special education department chair, said.
Pedersen gives credit to the Minot State University special education and education team members who supported the grant application for the innovative project, including Wenjing Zheng, special education assistant professor; Lisa Borden-King, associate professor of teacher education and head of the teacher education unit; Jenna Arnold, special education part-time faculty; Amy Armstrong, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and research associate; and Sheila Latham, grants accounting analyst.
Ideal candidates for the paraprofessional to teacher pathway need to be currently working as a paraprofessional with one year of experience, have an associate degree or some college completed, and have the support of their school administrators and special education teacher. For more information, contact Pedersen at holly.pedersen@MinotStateU.edu.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 08/12/20 |
