University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

The Department of Exceptional Education is pleased to have receipt of funding for a personnel preparation grant form the U.S. Department of Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The focus of this project is to increase the quantity and quality of teachers prepared to serve young children with disabilities and their families who are living in poverty environments. The grant will emphasize improvements in the quality of preparation students receive in working with children living in poverty, children who are English Language Learners, and children with particular needs in the area of social emotional development.

GoalsThe project targets four areas of critical needs for:

• Highly qualified teachers to serve infants/toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities
• Diverse teachers who are knowledgeable and skilled in working with children and families whose home language is not English
• Teachers who are knowledgeable and skilled in working with families and children in high poverty communities
• Teachers who are knowledgeable and skilled in working with children with challenging behavior

Tuition ReimbursementTuition reimbursement and a stipend for books are available for full and part-time students in the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program. These awards are made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Individuals who receive funding from this program must provide speical education to children with disabilities and their families post-graduation or repay all or part of the amount of assistance.

General Eligibility RequirmentsStudents who are enrolled or have applied to the UWM ECSE Program are eligible to apply for these awards. Priority will be given to qualified students who have a strong academic record or documentation of recent superior performance in employment. Post-Baccalaureate and graduate students seeking ECSE certification are eligible.

Recipient's ResponsibilitiesThe award recipients must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completing their approved programs of studies. If a student does not make satisfactory progress or withdraws from the supported program of studies, the student must pay back the funding they have used. The undistributed portion of her/his stipend will be used to support another student. Traineeship recipients also commit to consultation with the project faculty prior to any program change ECSE certification are eligible.

Selection ProceduresThe Project Selection Committee, composed of three UWM Faculty members, will determine traineeship recipients. The criteria for awarding traineeships include performance of previous academic work, acceptance into UWM's ECSE program, and faculty perceptions of the student's ability to work successfully with children with disabilities or at-risk conditions and their families.

Amount of the Award

• Students currently holding a license in Early Childhood Education will receive up to $4,000 for tuition and a $200 stipend for books.
• Students without Early Childhood Education certification will receive up to $8,000 and a $400 stipend for books.

Tuition awards can be made for graduate or undergraduate credits.
Application RequirementsTo apply for financial assistance, please submit the following

• An application with a cover letter and resume
  
• Copies of transcripts of all college and university work
• Two letters of reference from individuals who can accurately address your potential for practice in ECSC settings

Send all materials to:
Dr. Mary McLean
Project EI/EC PREP
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Enderis Hall rm 247
PO Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413

Questions/InformationMary McLean
Principal Investigator
Early Childhood Special Education
Phone: 414-229-2213
Email: mmclean@uwm.edu

Ann Hains
Project Co-Director
Early Childhood Special Education
414-229-4321

Ali Faber
Project Assistant
414-229-3723
afaber@uwm.edu