Training

Curriculum and timeline

As a Project I-LEAD scholar, you will engage in degree coursework while enrolled in Project I-LEAD. Project coursework is designed to extend and deepen the foundational training provided in the school psychology and special education programs. Training requirements include: 

  1. Interdisciplinary coursework – Scholars will complete 5 shared courses. Some of these courses are already required for your degree programs. Shared coursework includes:
    • EPSY 5221: Principles of Educational and Psychological Measurement
    • EPSY 5216: Introduction to Research in Educational Psychology and Human Development
    • EPSY 5605W: Collaborative Practices for the Special Educator
    • EPSY 5627: Advanced Issues in Learning Disabilities
    • EPSY 8811: Assessment

For school psychology students, this means using elective credits for EPSY 5605 and 5627. For special education students, this means taking 5221, 5216, and 8811 in addition to licensure requirements. Project I-LEAD will provide planning forms to students and advisors to facilitate degree planning and completion of  project requirements.

  1. Targeted fieldwork activities and portfolio – Scholars will engage in fieldwork activities to support knowledge and skills related to providing effective educational services for students with LD, as reflected through required portfolio components.
  2. Monthly proseminar participation – Scholars will participate in a monthly proseminar led by project personnel and including participants throughout the university and local community 

After completing the program, Project I-LEAD fellows must: 

  • Apply for state licensure if enrolled in the special education program; apply for certification and NCSP if enrolled in the school psychology program 
  • Complete a service obligation by maintaining eligible full-time employment two years for each year of the fellowship within 6-7 years of graduation (depending on years of support received). Fellows who fail to meet the requirements above (program completion or employment) are obligated to repay the support received (approximately $36,000 for a 2-year fellowship). Eligible employment requires positions in which:
    1. At least 51 percent of the infants, toddlers, and children to whom you provide services are receiving special education, related services, or early intervention services from you;
    2. You spend at least 51 percent of your time providing special education, related services, or early intervention services to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities; or
    3. If the position involves supervision including in the capacity of a principal, teaching at the postsecondary level, research, policy, technical assistance, program development, or administration, you spend at least 51 percent of your time performing work related to the training you received through your scholarship.
  • For more information on these stipulations see https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/Scholar 

Supervision

As a Project I-LEAD scholar, you will regularly meet with an advisor to discuss progress towards assignments and necessary milestones (i.e., research activities, and course selection and completion), facilitate collaborative research opportunities, and monitor professional development. 

As a Project I-LEAD scholar, you are assigned a licensure advisor and a faculty advisor. The licensure advisor will guide you through the process of completing requirements for teacher licensure. The faculty advisor is assigned based on content area expertise for the specific area of teacher licensure.

Specifically, your licensure advisor will assist with:

  • creating a program course plan;
  • monitoring completion of milestones toward licensure and degree;
  • monitoring and supporting scholar professional development;
  • identifying areas for improvement and supplemental learning; and
  • preparing documentation needed for licensure.

Your faculty advisor is available to discuss program modifications, when needed.

As an advisee, it is your responsibility to:

  • Engage in ongoing consultation with your advisor before deviating from recommended course sequence scheduling or planned timelines for milestones.
  • Openly communicate with your advisor about potential needed supports.
  • Communicate with your advisor at least once per year.

Annual review

Aside from ongoing informal feedback provided through the advising process, I-LEAD scholars complete one formal evaluation per year.