2006 Oklahoma State Personnel Development Grant Abstract

Grant/Contract #	H323A060008
Program	State Personnel Development Grants Program
Competition	State Personnel Development Grants
Title	Oklahoma State Personnel Development Grant
Project Director(s)	Nickerson, Kim
Organization	Oklahome State Department of Education
Address	2500 North Lincoln Blvd.Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599
Telephone	405-521-4869
Fax	405-522-1590
E-mail	kim_nickerson@sde.state.ok.us
Beginning Date	11/1/2006
Ending Date	6/30/2011

Purpose
The Oklahoma State Personnel Development Grant intends to improve educational results and post-school outcomes for children and youth with disabilities: (a) through the implementation of Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions (PBIS); (b) by facilitating the development, recruitment, and retention of highly qualified special educators; and (c) through the delivery of high-quality transition planning.

Method
Major strategies to be employed include establishing PBIS systems statewide; mentoring programs for new special education teachers and special education directors; reimbursement programs for general, alternately certified, and special educators to take coursework and certification exams to become highly qualified; and expansion of transition services to youth with disabilities.

Products
Anticipated outcomes include: (a) a minimum of 60 school sites across the state implementing PBIS and 5 local education agencies with exemplary PBIS programs serving as model demonstration sites; (b) fewer discipline referrals, expulsions, and suspensions; (c) increased academic achievement, higher graduation rates, and lower dropout rates; (d) more secondary special education teachers who are highly qualified to teach core subject areas; and (e) greater retention of new special education teachers.