2005 Minnesota State Improvement Grant Abstract
Grant/Contract # |
H323A050007 |
| Program Name | State Program Improvement Grants for Children with Disabilities |
| Competition Name | State Improvement Grants |
| Title | Minnesota State Personnel Development Grant |
| Project Director(s) | Eric Kloos |
| Telephone | 651-582-8268 |
| Fax | 651-582-8729 |
| Beginning Date | 9/1/2005 |
| Ending Date | 8/31/2010 |
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve the educational opportunities and outcomes of
Minnesota's children and youth with disabilities, as well as to ensure the availability of a qualified
special education workforce across all geographic regions in the state.
Method Competitive grants will be awarded to local education agencies with a high level of need for
improvement of outcomes for children and adolescents with disabilities, birth through 21. Targeted
need areas would include increased student achievement and the reduction of gaps between student
groups, lessened disproportionality, and issues related to inclusive settings. LEAs will apply for
funding specific to these areas providing a rationale and plan for improvement in identified areas of
need. Additionally, the SEA will design strategies to encourage district implementation of early
intervening strategies and other research-driven strategies designed to reduce gaps between student
groups in placement and achievement. Drawing on the work initiated by the State Improvement Grant
(SIG), initiatives will be further developed to assure that Minnesota's special education teaching cadre
is highly qualified. Coursework and other educational training experiences will be available to all
teachers who are not currently qualified. Current initiatives designed to increase the numbers of
special education teachers from underrepresented groups in Minnesota will be continued and expanded.
Selected projects will be undertaken in the geographic and licensure areas of greatest need.
Products
The project will use collaborative partnerships with individuals with disabilities and their families,
state and local education agencies, institutions of higher education, community service providers and
parent and consumer advocacy organizations, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Special
Education Policy Section to implement initiatives designed to result in changes to student outcomes,
birth through 21, and to change workforce availability.