The University of North Texas is partnering with three local school districts to train and educate future leaders of special education programs.
Under Project TELL-- Training Effective Leaders for High-Needs Schools through Local Partnerships-- doctoral students in UNT's Department of Educational Psychology will assess and implement changes that will strengthen the special education programs at schools in Birdville, DeSoto, and Lewisville independent school districts.
"This will not only help the school districts involved, but will give students real leadership experience requiring them to make systemic changes to improve the education of students with disabilities," said Bertina Combes, associate professor in UNT's College of Education and program director.
Working closely with the schools, the doctoral students involved will combine leadership and management training with doctoral work to prepare for leadership positions after graduation.
The program is funded by a five-year, $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education which will grant 12 scholars full scholarship funding and stipends throughout the program.
The first group will begin Summer 2012.
