Fresno State’s special education program won a $1,249,307 award from the U.S. Department of Education for Project ACCESS, which will provide 16 scholars with four-year scholarships valued at $52,500 per student, plus a customized bundle of academic services.
The project is designed to prepare more special education teachers of color to serve children with disabilities who have high-intensity needs. Project ACCESS scholars will earn their advanced teaching credential and master’s degree in special education. They will then fulfill their service obligation in the San Joaquin Valley, which has a severe shortage of qualified special education teachers throughout its school districts.
Project ACCESS scholars will be the next generation of teachers and leaders for students with autism, emotional disturbance, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability and traumatic brain injury, or those who are deaf or blind.
“In Project ACCESS we’re not just training teachers; we’re unlocking opportunities and breaking down barriers future teachers face,” said Dr. Kimberly Coy, the co-project director who is an expert in inclusive education, and a core faculty member in Fresno State’s Doctoral Program in Education Leadership. “Project ACCESS gets high-needs students the education they deserve.”
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