Rhode Island State Personnel Development Grant
The purpose of the State Personnel Development Grant is to assist the RI Department of Education and its partners to reform and improve early intervention, educational, and transitional services systems to improve results for children with disabilities. The five-year grant is awarded by the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
View Grant Narrative 
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Partners Group / Advisory Committee:
Partners Group includes representation from ARIASE; RIASP; three colleges (RI College, the University of Rhode Island, Providence College); two parent organizations (RIPIN, Parent Support Network); three school districts; three state agencies (Children, Youth, Families; Health; Human Services - Part C and Rehabilitation Services); and the State Special Education Advisory Committee. The Partners Group meets quarterly.
Project Management Team:
Kenneth Swanson, Director, RIDE Office of Special Populations
Paulajo Gaines, Director, RIDE Office of Educator Quality
Barrie Grossi, RIDE, Personnel Development
Michelle Palermo, RIDE, Early Childhood
Tony Antosh, Director, Sherlock Center
Jonathan Dyson, Project Coordinator
Project Goals:
1. To redefine the role of secondary special educators and to increase the number of highly qualified secondary special educators who are practicing in Rhode Island schools.
2. To create a professional development system based on the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards.
3. To decrease the number of behavioral incidents and suspensions and through implementation of a statewide system of School Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS).
4. To increase the number of highly qualified leadership personnel.
5. To increase the number of highly qualified new teachers who begin their careers adequately prepared to provide effective instruction to students with disabilities.
Kenneth Swanson, Director, RIDE Office of Special Populations
Paulajo Gaines, Director, RIDE Office of Educator Quality
Barrie Grossi, RIDE, Personnel Development
Michelle Palermo, RIDE, Early Childhood
Tony Antosh, Director, Sherlock Center
Jonathan Dyson, Project Coordinator
Project Goals:
1. To redefine the role of secondary special educators and to increase the number of highly qualified secondary special educators who are practicing in Rhode Island schools.
2. To create a professional development system based on the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards.
3. To decrease the number of behavioral incidents and suspensions and through implementation of a statewide system of School Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS).
4. To increase the number of highly qualified leadership personnel.
5. To increase the number of highly qualified new teachers who begin their careers adequately prepared to provide effective instruction to students with disabilities.
W3C approved.