February 15, 2006
February 15, 2006
Dear Educator:
The University of Montana-Missoula and Montana State University-Billings are pleased to announce course offerings focused on teaching students with intensive learning needs (students identified as having severe disabilities). With grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education, a sequence of seven courses will begin in June of 2006. These classes are jointly listed at both universities, and interested participants from across the entire state can register for these classes through the school of their choice. This sequence has been offered for a number of years, but our grant cycle is nearing its end. This will be the last student cohort supported under this funding.
The program begins with a two-week period of study in Missoula, June 19- June 30. The remaining courses in this sequence will utilize distance learning formats, enabling teachers to complete this program during non-school hours in a one year time frame. This will require them to take two classes/semester. The content areas covered in these courses are as follows: (a) collaboration and support strategies; (b) use of assistive technology; (c) systematic instructional practices; (d) strategies to support students in inclusive settings; (e) secondary curricular practices; (f) positive behavioral support strategies; and (g) changing trends and service practices for individuals with severe disabilities. These courses can be incorporated into a graduate program at both universities.
Tuition support, awarded on a reimbursement basis, is available for a limited number of individuals who begin this program in June of 2006. Out of town students are also eligible for an honorarium to help defray the costs of travel and lodging for the two weeks in Missoula. For more details, review the application materials (http://www.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/class). Additional copies of the application materials can be downloaded from this site.
Please help us get the word out by distributing
this to those who might have an interest in the program. Thank you!
Dr. Gail McGregor |
R. Timm Vogelsberg, Ph.D.
(406) 243-5467 rtvogels@ruralinstitute.umt.edu |
Linda Christensen
(406) 657-2081 lchristensen@msubillings.edu |
The Program: This is a seven course sequence of graduate level courses that focus on strategies to teach students with severe disabilities in inclusive settings. These credits can be folded into a graduate program at either MSU-Billings or The University of Montana, or they can be taken as an area of graduate specialization that is not a part of a graduate degree program.
Available Tuition and Participant Supports: Funding from a federal grant provides tuition support for a limited number of students each year, as well as an honorarium for out-of-town participants for the two week period of summer study in Missoula. Tuition support operates on a reimbursement basis (i.e., students are reimbursed for the cost of tuition upon successful completion of a course).
Technology Requirements for Participation: All off-campus study will utilize distance education modalities. In order to participate in course activities, participants must have access to the following for the fall and spring semester courses:
Minimum Equipment Requirements (Higher end equipment would be desirable):
Application Procedures:
Courses only: To register for one
or more of these courses, contact the designated faculty person at the
University of your choice to obtain admission and registration materials.
Tuition/Participant Support: An application
package has been put together for participants who wish to be considered for
tuition and participant support for these classes. This needs to be completed
and returned to Dr. Gail McGregor no later than 5/8/06 in order
to be considered for the June, 2006 program cohort.
Partnerships Timetable for Summer 2006 School Year:
*Due to limited space in summer University housing, participants will need to contact Robin, (406) 243-2612 by April 28, 2006 if interested in reserving a dorm room during the June classes, first come, first served. (Reference the Rural Institute, Partnerships Program). Refunds are available if participants can not attend Partnerships classes.*
May 8, 2006 |
Deadline for tuition support applications. |
May 16,
2006 |
Applicants for tuition support will be notified |
May 18, 2006 |
Registration and Course Information Packets sent out |
**
Participants make own arrangements for housing, see above for information
concerning on-campus housing ** |
|
May 31, 2006 |
First Assignments distributed |
June 19, 2006 |
Admission to University must be completed |
June 19-Jun3 30, 2006 |
On-campus instruction in Missoula, 8:30 - 4:30 daily |