Request For Proposals for Special Education Resource Teacher Academy 2023-2024 Memo Information Memo Number LS-23-061 Memo Date 3/20/2023 Memo Type Informational Unit Learning Services Regulatory Authority Response Required NO Attention Assistant Superintendent; Educator Effectiveness System Coordinator; Superintendents Primary Contact Information Name Dr. Laura Sullivan Phone Number 501-682-4221 Email laura.sullivan@ade.arkansas.gov Secondary Contact/s Information Name Matt Sewell Phone Number 501-682-4221 Email Matt.Sewell@ade.arkansas.gov Memo Text The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) seeks proposals from Arkansas Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) to create Special Education Resource Teacher Academies. The purpose of the academies is to prepare licensed teachers employed by an Arkansas public school district to add the Special Education Resource endorsement. The award must be renewed annually based on availability of funds, satisfactory performance on participant evaluations, compliance with DESE reporting and requirements, and the success rate for Special Education Resource Teacher Academy graduates passing the Praxis© Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354) upon first administration. The Special Education Resource Teacher Academy will be at no cost to the participant. Public school districts in Arkansas have an obligation to provide the personnel and resources necessary to effectively provide a Free Appropriate Public Education for students with disabilities in each student’s least restrictive environment. This obligation includes having an adequate number of highly qualified teachers who are skilled in providing the supports students need to progress in the general education curriculum. [IDEA Section 1414 (d) (1) (A) (i) (II)(aa)]. The Special Education Resource Teacher Academy programs will prepare educators who are currently licensed in Elementary K-6, 4-8, or 7-12 ELA, Math, or Science to receive an endorsement from DESE to teach the content area in which they are currently licensed to students with disabilities in an inclusive and/or resource setting. The Academy should be designed to begin in the summer with on-going sessions/support throughout the school year. All participants should ideally have the opportunity to complete the entire program within one year of their acceptance to the Special Education Resource Teacher Academy. A completed RFP proposal packet, grant budget narrative, and Statement of Assurances, along with appropriate support data and a letter from the college President must be submitted no later than March 30, 2023 to: Academy Point of Contact: Dr. Laura Sullivan Program Advisor Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education 1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 450, Little Rock, AR 72201 laura.sullivan@ade.arkansas.gov Academy Secondary Point of Contact: Matt Sewell Director of Special Programs Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 450, Little Rock, AR 72201 Matt.Sewell@ade.arkansas.gov Anticipated timeline of Special Education Resource Teacher Academy determination process: • Proposal packets are due to DESE by March 30, 2023. • Selected sites will be notified no later than April 6, 2023. Links: • 2023_Special_Education_Resource_Teacher_Academy_Proposal_Packet • 2023_Special_Education_Resource_Teacher_Academy_Statement_of_Assurances • B2_2023_Special_Education_Resource_Teacher_Academy_Grant_Budget_and_Budget_Narrative
Memo Number LS-23-061 Memo Date 3/20/2023 Memo Type Informational Unit Learning Services Regulatory Authority Response Required NO Attention Assistant Superintendent; Educator Effectiveness System Coordinator; Superintendents
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) seeks proposals from Arkansas Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) to create Special Education Resource Teacher Academies. The purpose of the academies is to prepare licensed teachers employed by an Arkansas public school district to add the Special Education Resource endorsement. The award must be renewed annually based on availability of funds, satisfactory performance on participant evaluations, compliance with DESE reporting and requirements, and the success rate for Special Education Resource Teacher Academy graduates passing the Praxis© Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354) upon first administration. The Special Education Resource Teacher Academy will be at no cost to the participant. Public school districts in Arkansas have an obligation to provide the personnel and resources necessary to effectively provide a Free Appropriate Public Education for students with disabilities in each student’s least restrictive environment. This obligation includes having an adequate number of highly qualified teachers who are skilled in providing the supports students need to progress in the general education curriculum. [IDEA Section 1414 (d) (1) (A) (i) (II)(aa)]. The Special Education Resource Teacher Academy programs will prepare educators who are currently licensed in Elementary K-6, 4-8, or 7-12 ELA, Math, or Science to receive an endorsement from DESE to teach the content area in which they are currently licensed to students with disabilities in an inclusive and/or resource setting. The Academy should be designed to begin in the summer with on-going sessions/support throughout the school year. All participants should ideally have the opportunity to complete the entire program within one year of their acceptance to the Special Education Resource Teacher Academy. A completed RFP proposal packet, grant budget narrative, and Statement of Assurances, along with appropriate support data and a letter from the college President must be submitted no later than March 30, 2023 to: Academy Point of Contact: Dr. Laura Sullivan Program Advisor Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education 1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 450, Little Rock, AR 72201 laura.sullivan@ade.arkansas.gov Academy Secondary Point of Contact: Matt Sewell Director of Special Programs Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 450, Little Rock, AR 72201 Matt.Sewell@ade.arkansas.gov Anticipated timeline of Special Education Resource Teacher Academy determination process: • Proposal packets are due to DESE by March 30, 2023. • Selected sites will be notified no later than April 6, 2023. Links: • 2023_Special_Education_Resource_Teacher_Academy_Proposal_Packet • 2023_Special_Education_Resource_Teacher_Academy_Statement_of_Assurances • B2_2023_Special_Education_Resource_Teacher_Academy_Grant_Budget_and_Budget_Narrative
Arkansas Department of Education