Requirements

The project requires two years to complete and will lead to a project endorsement as a specialist in RtI implementation added to their Ed.S. degree in School Psychology.

Click on the tables to view :

• Table 1 Describes the competencies, courses, and examples of skills to be trained in each area
• Table 2 Provides the course sequence for the two years of the project

These competencies will be acquired through three primary activities:

• Coursework
• Practica
• Internship

The project has eight key components that will be emphasized during the training process:

• General coursework
• Specific courses related to RtI
• Weekly topical seminars on RtI
• Specific training in RtI models working with individuals from culturally / linguistically diverse
  backgrounds and individuals with disabilities
• Specific training in implementing RtI models at the middle school level
• Practica experiences within RtI models
• Full time, full year internship experiences within RtI models
• Development of product portfolios reflecting acquisition of project competencies

Service Obligation

In accordance with section 673(h)(1) of the Act (20 U.S.C. 1473(h)(1), you are required to agree to a Service Obligation and sign a Work Assurance Form.  This form indicates that you are required to provide special education and/or related services to children with disabilities for a period of two years for every year for which you will have received support on this project.  Thus, completion of the project obligates you to 4 years of service to education, broadly conceptualized (i.e., service in academe, public or private schools, health related settings would all be acceptable).  Click here to view a detailed listing of all regulations.

Click here to contact the National Center on Service Obligations (NCSO).

NOTE: Should you not provide such services, you are obligated to repay the U.S. Department of Education in full for the dollars received on this project.  Please be aware that it is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Education to provide your name and contact information to the agency.

Coursework

The following coursework is prescribed by the project over the two year period of training.  Substitutions for courses already taken can be made.  Some courses are already a part of the existing Ed.S. degree program, others will be substituted for existing requirements, so that the number of required credits for the degree plus the endorsement will be nearly equal.

Click here to view courses >

Bi-semester Seminars on Diversity

To increase trainees’ competencies in working with diverse groups of students, the project will employ two diversity consultants who along with the co-PIs will provide a seminar specifically focused on:

• Cultural diversity
• Linguistic diversity
• Diversity in skills and abilities

One consultant, Dr. Haager, is nationally known as an expert in second language learners. The other consultant, Dr. Rosalyn Pitts, is a school psychologist working with diverse populations in an urban school district. 

The consultants will meet with project trainees 2 times per semester in person and through electronic media such as tele-conferences.  The purpose of these meetings is to provide background knowledge and expertise in:

• Understanding characteristics
• Social support
• Modification of family interventions

in working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse background or those with disabilities within an RtI model of service delivery.

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THEIR DEGREE WHILE THE PROJECT IS STILL ACTIVE.  ASSUMING THE PROJECT WILL HAVE NO COST EXTENSION YEARS, ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AND RECEIVE THEIR ED.S. BY AUGUST 2013.