Project Mission Statement and Outcome: To prepare teachers at the master’s level to work in inclusive settings with students who experience severe disabilities.
Project Description:
A Master’s Level Specialization Program
In the two decades since the passage of P.L. 94-142, the expectations for and optimism about educational outcomes for students with disabilities, particularly those with the most significant challenges (students considered to experience “low incidence” disabilities), have improved exponentially. The initial emphasis on access and entitlement to services has shifted toward programmatic concerns focused on maximizing the likelihood of meaningful post-school outcomes in the areas of employment and community living. There is a growing awareness that what, how, and where students with severe disabilities are taught during their school years has a direct bearing on how they are perceived by others and what opportunities are available to them as young adults. Federal funding has supported research, model development, and demonstration projects that, collectively, provide much guidance about what constitutes "best practices" in the education of students with “low incidence” disabilities. These principles are reflected in the approach and content of the seven course distance education program in severe disabilities that is offered by The University of Montana in collaboration with Montana State University. These classes include
For More Information Contact:
Gail McGregor, mcgregor@ruralinstitute.umt.edu,
406-243-2348
R. Timm Vogelsberg, rtvogels@ruralinstitute.umt.edu,
406-243-5467
Marnie Bastian, mbastian@ruralinstitute.umt.edu,
406-243-5813.
Websites: http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu,
and http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/class