UC Irvine’s School of Education launches special education initiative with $1M lead gift from alumna
November 22, 2024
|
In recognition of National Special Education Day on Dec. 2 the University of California, Irvine, School of Education is proud to announce a special education initiative, supported by a $1 million gift from a UC Irvine alumna and former special education teacher. This generous contribution will help establish a special education track within the teacher education program, addressing California’s critical shortage of qualified special education teachers.
“California is facing a crisis in serving the needs of students in special education programs, which comprise approximately 13 percent of students in the state,” said Frances Contreras, dean of the UC Irvine School of Education. “Thousands of students with disabilities require an education specialist credential. Yet, two-thirds of new special education teachers enter classrooms without full credentials. This initiative is a vital step towards creating a pipeline of highly skilled educators who can meet the needs of our most vulnerable students.” |
|
UC Irvine’s School of Education is addressing the needs of special education in three key ways:
This effort also positions UC Irvine as a leader in addressing systemic challenges in special education and ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction.
UC Irvine invites the community to join this effort to make a lasting impact on students with disabilities. For more information or to support the initiative, contact Duane Rohrbacher, J.D., Ph.D., at [email protected].
- Training future educators: equipping teacher candidates with specialized instruction, mentorship, and resources, preparing them to create inclusive classrooms for students with disabilities.
- Conducting innovative research: engaging in cutting-edge research on language development, reading comprehension, and the role of assistive technology in improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
- Driving systemic change: setting the standard for addressing systemic challenges in special education through research and teacher preparation ensuring that all students, regardless of ability or background, have access to high-quality instruction.
This effort also positions UC Irvine as a leader in addressing systemic challenges in special education and ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction.
UC Irvine invites the community to join this effort to make a lasting impact on students with disabilities. For more information or to support the initiative, contact Duane Rohrbacher, J.D., Ph.D., at [email protected].
