Higher Education Coordinating Committee
The Higher Education Coordinating Committee is responsible for implementing Goal 1,
ensuring that all students with disabilities are taught by 'highly qualified teachers'.
A wide variety of stakeholders serve on the committee and bring diverse talents and perspectives
to the process. The RISIG Coordinator, the Coordinators of both Faculty Academies,
the Recruitment Coordinator and the CSPD Coordinator all support the committee.
Primary Tasks
- Collaborate with Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island to establish the "Faculty Academies for Educational Change".
- Participate in Search Committees to select faculty.
- Participate in Search Committees to select Recruitment Coordinator.
- Collaborate with Recruitment Coordinator to develop strategies for recruiting:
- Collaborate with Colleges and the Office of Certification to review procedures for reviewing academic credentials and developing plans that will lead to certification.
- Review reports from Faculty Academies on progress toward intended outcomes.
- Review reports from Recruitment Coordinator on
recruitment activities, number of candidates, etc.
Teachers with Emergency Certificates
Teacher Assistants
Siblings and Family Members
High School students from diverse backgrounds
High School students who have disabilities
Through the Faculty Academies:
a) all preservice teacher education students will take at least one course pertinent to education of children with disabilities in the general curriculum;
b) methodology courses will include discussions of curriculum and instructional modifications that will increase the participation and performance of children with disabilities;
c) some of these courses will be co-taught by general education and special education faculty;
d) all preservice teacher education candidates will have at least one core practicum experience focused on educating children with disabilities in the general curriculum; and
e) student teaching for teacher education candidates will occur in schools that regularly educate children with disabilities in general education settings.
Through the Recruitment Coalition:
a) the development of a statewide system for recruiting persons interested in careers with children who have disabilities and statewide procedures for supporting these candidates as they select preservice training programs, make application to any of the coalition colleges or universities, seek financial assistance, complete their program of study, and ultimately obtain employment;
b) the existence of a new mechanism to evaluate and prepare non traditional teacher candidates based on the use of I Plans, the Rhode Island Beginning Teacher Standards, and critical content areas;
c) an increased number of Teacher Assistants, family members, individuals who have disabilities, and individuals from minority ethnic or racial groups who pursue and obtain positions in disciplines that support children with disabilities; and
d) an increased number of personnel currently holding emergency certifications who obtain full certification.
