Keene State Assists in Special Education Grant

From Anthony Munoz, Marketing and Communications intern:

The New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, was awarded a $3.8 million State Personnel Development Grant for the next five years from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The grant seeks to support students with disabilities and students at risk of dropping out of school to prepare for college and careers as they graduate from high school, and it requires the aid of state institutions of higher education to maintain its practice. Keene State College plays an important role in fulfilling the purpose of this grant.

Keene State’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies will assist this grant by developing a web-based resource portal to support educational career and college readiness. The College will also be working with New Hampshire teacher education programs to help design tools, develop curricula, and identify curricular needs. In doing so, Keene State will help prepare teachers to provide a smoother transition and stronger foundation to students with disabilities who seek to start their paths in higher education and at workplaces.

Another important goal of the project will be to promote extended learning opportunities (ELOs). ELOs involve learning opportunities outside the classroom for which students get credit, including, but not limited to, sports, independent study, and online learning. It will strive to strengthen planning for transitioning from high school while providing more transition-related activities and opportunities. The grant will also create a stronger interaction between families and schools.