The U.S. Department of Education has earmarked $7 million to help recruit and train teachers and administrators serving children with disabilities. The funding will go to seven states, including New Jersey, to enhance preparation and professional development focused on early intervention, special education, and transition services. Grants in amounts ranging from $530,000 to nearly $1.5 million are also headed to state education departments in Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina and Oregon.
The funding will help support the recruitment and retention of special education teachers, and will fund training on ways to help students with disabilities access the general education curriculum.
In order to qualify for the funding, states were required to partner with a college or university, at least one school district, and a parent training or resource center in order to implement their professional development program.
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