An interdisciplinary collaboration earns faculty in the special education and behavior analysis programs a U.S. Department of Education grant

Oct. 2, 2017

curiel, ehrhardt, morgan, and summy

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Drs. Kristal Ehrhardt (P.I.), Sarah Summy, (Co-P.I.), Emily Curiel (Co-P.I.) and Dan Morgan (Collaborating Faculty) from the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies along with Drs. Denise Ross (Co-P.I.), Jessica Frieder (Co-P.I.) and Al Poling (Collaborating Faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences) have been awarded $1,182,144 from the U.S. Department of Education to implement a project entitled: Interdisciplinary Preparation in Autism Services (IPA)

This five-year project will prepare 24 master’s-level special education teachers and behavior analysts.  Upon program completion, scholars will earn a Master of Arts degree in either Special Education or Behavior Analysis. All participants will be eligible to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst National Exam. Special education graduates may seek an autism teaching endorsement. Scholars will attain competencies in (a) applied behavior analysis, (b) the 27 evidence-based practices for children and youth identified on the autism spectrum, (c) multi-tiered systems of support, (d) data-based decision making, and (e) coaching and supervision of school support services personnel serving students with autism spectrum disorders.