This content was published: December 14, 2005. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
$800,000 federal grant to boost paraeducator skills
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Thanks to Portland Community College paraeducators and teachers who specialize with children with disabilities now have a clear path to getting their bachelor’s degree. The Grants Office at Portland Community College has announced that the Education Department at the Cascade Campus (705 N. Killingsworth St.) received a four-year, $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Personnel Preparation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program. The money will allow the PCC program to partner with Portland State University’s Graduate School of Education to implement the Highly Qualified Special Educator (HQ-SPED) teacher pathway program. The project will be 100-percent federally funded. Together, the schools plan to improve the quality of education for children with special needs by assisting 45 college students to become special education paraprofessionals and teachers who are fully licensed and highly qualified. Currently, there is a statewide shortage of paraeducators and teachers qualified to teach children with disabilities. "Portland Community College and Portland State are excited about partnering to offer this opportunity to leverage the experience and education of PCC students to realize the dream of becoming highly qualified educators," said Kay Peterson, principal HQ-SPED grant investigator. The partnership goals include increasing the number of qualified and licensed special education teachers and paraeducators who are bilingual, bicultural, or individuals with disabilities; create an easy pathway for paraprofessionals transitioning from a certificate to associate’s and to a bachelor’s degree; and advising, academic, peer, and financial counseling. For additional information, call Kay Peterson at 503-978-5229.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »