The Northeast Florida Educational Consortium/University of Florida (NEFEC/UF) Collaborative Teacher Education Program. Final Grant Performance Report.

Overview & Synopsis

This final report describes activities and achievements of a 3-year personnel preparation project of the University of Florida and the Northeast Florida Education Consortium. The project recruited, trained, and offered a bachelor's degree in special education to 12 paraprofessional teacher assistants. An additional 21 teachers without special education certification completed courses toward certification through the program. Participants received courses at no cost and received a stipend to supplement their income during the summer. The clinical component of the program was offered during the school year in the settings where the teacher assistants worked. A graduate satisfaction survey indicated that graduates felt confident in demonstrating Florida's Accomplished Practices. Consideration of the program's impact stresses the University of Florida's continuing commitment to offer courses toward certification for paraprofessionals. Dissemination activities including presentations and publications are listed. Attached is a copy of the University of Florida's College of Education quarterly publication featuring this project. (DB)