ADE Director's Communication Memo Form


Memo Number : IA-04-090

Date Created : 04/02/2004

Attention:

Superintendents
Co-op Directors
other: All Principals
LEA Supervisors

Type of Memo: Informational
Response Required: Optional
   
Section:   Internal Administration - Dr. Bobbie Davis
Subject:
Special Ed Programs: Paraprofessional Coursework

Regulatory Authority:
Public Law 105-17

Contact Person:
Susan Branon

Phone Number:
501-682-4222

E-mail:
sbranon@arkedu.k12.ar.us

In September 2003, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Special Education was awarded a State Improvement Grant (SIG). The focus of Goal Three of the SIG is to support efforts to recruit and retain qualified teachers in Arkansas’ public schools and assist them in obtaining special education licensure. One objective addressing this goal is to recruit paraprofessionals employed in Arkansas school districts to work toward obtaining an Associate of Arts (AA) degree [one of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements] and, hopefully, advance to a teaching license in special education.

SAU-Tech in Camden has developed an online course for paraprofessionals, ED1333 -- The Role of the Paraprofessional, incorporating the ADE Core Paraprofessional Training module into a course for three college credit hours. This course is part of an Associate of Arts Degree-Inclusive Paraprofessional Track that will be available totally online. To assist in defraying tuition and incidental costs, the ADE, Special Education, will award tuition and incidental costs reimbursement of up to $500 to 20 paraprofessionals currently employed in an Arkansas school district and/or educational cooperative.

The course will begin June 2, 2004, with registration for summer courses beginning May 17. Interested individuals are responsible for registering for the course and completing all necessary SAU Tech enrollment procedures. ADE through SAU Tech will provide tuition and incidental costs reimbursement up to $500 for this course for paraprofessionals committed to obtaining an AA degree. The student must complete the course satisfactorily to receive the reimbursement

Receipt of reimbursement to eligible individuals currently employed by school districts and/or educational cooperatives will be contingent upon their agreement to work in an Arkansas school district at the completion of this course for a period of time not less than the term or period covered by the reimbursement.

The website for enrollment in the SAU-Tec course is as follows: http://www.sautech.edu/students/new_students/register_online_entry.html. For assistance with the SAU Tech registration, applicants can contact Lisa Oden, Instructor, loden@sautech.edu. Registration must be completed no later than June 2, 2004.

Please submit the attached registration form for ED 1333 course to Susie Branon, 1401 W. Capitol, Suite 450, Little Rock, AR 72201 no later than May 14, 2004. Any additional information will be forwarded to the person(s) about the course registration.

Attachments:

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