SPDG and Central Arizona College A Successful Partnership

SPDG Vision Statement Goal 1: To recruit, prepare, and retain special education teachers and speech pathologist to meet the needs of a growing special education population.

SPDG Pinal County Goal Years 1-5- Based on the success of the PEP-C “grow your own” program at CAC, SPDG stipend support will be continued for at least 30 students annually to complete full certification in special education.

SPDG and CAC Thirty paraeducators in Pinal County would be targeted for SIG scholarships towards AA and BA Degrees. As students graduated from the program, new paraeducators would be recruited. Special consideration would be given to minority candidates, parents of children with special needs, and students with special needs.

First Year Numbers In the first year of SPDG, 38 students were recruited into the program. Over half of the students were “rolled over” from the previous 4-year SIG grant. More students could be recruited since all but 3 were still working on the AA degree at CAC. Three were in the new dual cert program at CAC from ASU.

First Year Continued Although there were no graduates from ASU the first year, 8 students graduated from CAC and enrolled in the ASU program in the fall of 2008.

What Happended Next? Over 30 students per year were supported by SPDG funds to obtain AA and BA degrees in Special Education for the first 3 years. Ten of the twelve school districts in Pinal County have benefited by increased qualified paraeducators and Special Education teachers.

What Are Our SPGD Numbers? At least 60 participants have received an AA degree. Thirty fully qualified special education teachers have been added to the Pinal County ranks. Approximately one third of the participants are of minority descent,have a disability or are parents of a child with a disability.

Where Are We Now? Sixteen students participated in the final year of SPDG. No others were recruited Sixteen Students are still participating due to end of the grant stipends. Two are enrolled in an NAU dual certification program on the CAC campus. Seven more will achieve AA degrees by May of 2013

Where Were The Students From? Casa Grande Elementary District Apache Junction SD Casa Grande Union High Florence Unified Coolidge Unified Picacho Elementary

Where Else? Toltec Unified Ray Unified Mammoth/San Manuel Unified Maricopa Unified Eloy Elementary J.O. Combs SD

What Does The Future Hold There is still a need for highly qualified special education teachers in Pinal County. SPDG helped the districts to understand that a “grow your own” program is the way to go!

Conclusion SPDG and Central Arizona College have had a positive impact on Pinal County Schools!