The U.S. Education Department is funding a new center to study effective special education teachers. The department will spend up to $5 million to create the Center to Support the Development of Effective Educators to Serve Students with Disabilities, it said this month. Entities that want to apply for the grant to start the center must do so by Sept. 4.
The center will provide technical assistance to state education departments that are reviewing and reforming certification and licensing standards for teacher-preparation programs. It will be expected to work with school districts and colleges and universities. The standards the groups collaborate on will have to be proven effective through research and help teachers work effectively in inclusive settings.