The ECU Special Education Transition to Teaching (ECU SPED T2T) program does more than address personnel shortages. It raises the bar of quality for training and support to teacher candidates who are paraprofessionals or recent college graduates in areas outside of education by addressing knowledge gaps identified through recent research. The program focuses on preparing highly qualified K-12 special educators who will also be licensed in elementary and reading; expanding teacher training opportunities to individuals who have traditionally been underrepresented in teacher preparation programs through innovative partnerships with community colleges and LEAs; and supporting novice special educators in rural and high-poverty schools through e-mentoring as a supplement to existing LEA induction programs. Students supported through ECU SPED T2T may receive a tuition stipend UP TO $5,000, a personal laptop, and a webcam for use throughout their program.

Students who receive ECU SPED T2T scholarship support are required to fulfill a service obligation.  Upon completing their scholarship-supported degree, they will work for three years in a high-need school with students who have documented disabilities.

The T2T program works in collaboration with statewide partners from LEAs and community colleges. Funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Department of Education through grant number U350B060004.

For more information, contact:
Ruth Kilburn - 138 Rivers Building - kilburnr@ecu.edu