USM creates a new master's program for classroom teachers seeking improved skills to serve all learners in regular classroomsPress Release The University of Southern Maine's College of Education and Human Development (USM CEHD) launched a unique Master of Science in Special Education program called "Teaching ALL Students." With the strong movement in education towards inclusion, more students with disabilities are in regular classrooms then even before. Inclusion maintains that children with disabilities should be a part of a regular classroom as much as possible. In addition, with less district money for gifted and talented programs, these students are also remaining in the classroom more. The third group of students whom we are seeing in the regular classroom at a high rate is students who are English Language Learners. As a result of these changes this new teaching and learning environment has left some teachers without the requisite preparation for and support to teach all students with diverse learning needs and differences in their regular education classrooms. USM's M.S. in Special Education program is breaking new ground as it provides experienced regular–education teachers, who are already working in K–12 classrooms, with new knowledge and skills to create supportive learning environments for children without and with disabilities. The program focuses on three groups of learners: 1) students with special needs; 2) students who are gifted and talented; and 3) students who are English Language Learners (ELLs). It will enable graduates to be effective in assisting ALL students to achieve State academic achievement standards. New to the USM faculty, Associate Professor Julie Alexandrin designed the program. She comments that, "Research shows there are many benefits of inclusive learning environments for students with and without disabilities. Students with disabilities benefit from better socialization and show measurable academic gains and behavioral improvements. Students without disabilities benefit from having additional resources in their classroom as well as the opportunity to make friends with kids who may be different from them." To achieve these benefits, "a teacher must be prepared to teach all learners in his or her classroom." (To read more about Julie Alexandrin, visit: http://www.usm.maine.edu/cehd/About-Us/news3.htm) USM is accepting applications to the M.S. in Special Education for Fall 2008. For more information, contact Associate Professor Julie Alexandrin, Program Coordinator, at (207) 228-8320 and jalexandrin@usm.maine.edu or visit www.usm.maine.edu/cehd. Open House – Program Information Session Date/ Time: Location: For directions and a campus map, visit: http://www.usm.maine.edu/generalinfo.htm. # # # Beth Shepard–Rabadam 013008 |