Low Incidence Disabilities- Teacher Preparation Initiative (LID-TPI) The Michigan Consortium for Teacher Endorsement For Visual Impairment 5/14/2013

2 Two students learning in their classrooms. One is reading braille. The other is using the iPad.

Educator Shortage Areas Michigan critical shortage areas for populations in low incidence include: –Visual Impairment –Orientation & Mobility Specialist –Deaf and Hard of Hearing 3

Current Status of Programs Programs for Visual Impairment in Michigan –EMU offers an undergraduate program Only university with a VI program in the state –WMU offers a blindness and low-vision studies program It is not an approved teacher preparation program 4

Low Incidence Disabilities Challenges for VI : –Require intensive, very specialized instruction and supports –Higher associated costs for educational services 5

Low Incidence Disabilities Teacher Preparation Programs for low incidence disabilities: –More specialized; more costly –Qualified faculty difficult to recruit –Lack of programs 6

I.D.E.A. Requirements States are to ensure an adequate supply of appropriately trained personnel, including: – preparation – recruitment – retention 7

Michigan’s response Diverse stakeholder group –Over 70 members represented Universities Agencies School districts 8

The Michigan Consortium Video

Results of Collaboration Visual Impairment Consortium for Teacher Preparation 9/11/

The Michigan Consortium Multi-state - includes schools partnerships with universities nationally, and in Michigan, Creates a unique opportunity to prepare teachers to educate students who are BVI. –An on-line endorsement program for certified teachers to obtain an additional Michigan teaching endorsement Visual Impairment 11

The Program Structure Michigan host university Western Michigan University Classes combinations on-line web conferencing video conferencing, and face-to-face meetings 12

Endorsement for VI Out-of-State University of Massachusetts-Boston University of Arizona University of Kentucky Michigan Western Michigan University (Host) Eastern Michigan University 13 Participating Teacher Preparation Insitutions

Add slide of flowchart 9/11/

The Role of MDE The OSE will: Complete a final audit –Application packet –Student transcripts –Completion of the Plan of Study –Successful Practicum completion The OPPS will: Check the Michigan Online Educator Certification System(MOECS) Check that Michigan Test of Teacher Certification (MTTC) test was complete Check that application has been paid through MOECS Add the endorsement to the teaching certificate 15

Timeline and Data Fall 2013 –Program was launched –5 students Summer 2014 –7 students Fall 2014 –Anticipated total of students participating in program 9/11/

Contact Collette Bauman Director Michigan Department of Education- Low Incidence Outreach Roxanne Balfour Departmental Specialist Program Accountability, Michigan Department of Education 9/11/