Project PROMISES –
Producing Results & Outcomes through Meaningful Improvement of Special Education Systems

The Nevada Department of Education, in partnership with teachers, administrators, parents, policymakers and others, conducted a comprehensive self-assessment of special education services and the performance of students with disabilities. This assessment, part of the state’s Continuous Improvement Monitoring Process (CIMP), revealed a cross cutting need for systemic changes in the ways that students with disabilities access the general education curriculum, demonstrate progress in statewide accountability measures, and gain necessary skills for post-secondary success. In order to achieve the high standards expected of all Nevada learners, students with disabilities must receive research-based supports and instruction and assessment settings. Integrated supports (including transition planning) must be in place for students to achieve academic and social gains. Additionally, personnel shortages and training needs must be addressed for students to have access to high quality teachers.

The design of Project PROMISES is consistent with the NV state legislative mandate for an integrated regional network of professional development to provide training in state content standards. This configuration supports state values and forms the framework for reaching the goals of PROMISES:

Project PROMISES will expand the state’s professional development system to strengthen outcomes for special education students by ensuring that necessary expertise is in place at local, regional, and state levels to provide training and technical assistance that enables staff and family members to make quality decisions about student’s access to the general curriculum and to provide necessary accommodations and supports in instruction and assessment. Regional Trainers will received additional support to collaborate with educators and parents, and work in partnership with schools in assigned districts to provide training.

In keeping with the culture of the state, schools will apply for and receive grants to enable them to identify and implement site-based professional development that meets their particular training needs. To prepare schools to submit competitive grant proposals, regional workshops will be held annually to train administrators and teacher leaders to disaggregate, analyze, and use data to make decisions about professional development needs and to evaluate progress in meeting targeted outcomes. Based on student performance and teacher quality data, schools will choose from a menu of professional development content options (literacy development, classroom management, positive behavioral supports, accommodations and modifications, transition planning, and data based decision making) in a variety of delivery formats (e.g., online coursework, teacher learning teams, action research, workshops, etc).

A statewide leadership team will be created to include representatives from: universities, school districts, training programs, parent centers, state policy makers, the NV Department of Education, regional labs, and external evaluators. The leadership team will serve as an advisory committee for the project and will provide guidance in the development and implementation of project goals. The Project will bring together university faculty with expertise in special education, literacy behavior, and transition; will recognize parents and individuals with disabilities as equal partners in the leadership process; and will bridge communication gaps that currently exist between special education and general education colleagues. A system of performance measurement will guide the evaluation plan. Data will be systematically collected, analyzed, and reviewed with project staff, the leadership team and other partners (SEAC, CIMP, SEDA) to provide formative feedback that guides project activities. Partnership groups will receive training on performance measurement to ensure active participation in these processes. Summative evaluations will occur to measure progress toward desired outcomes.

Return to Top

NV Basic Information

Return to Top