Grants & Research

Responsive, Effective Special Education Teachers (RESET)

• PI: Dr. William Drakeford
• Co-PI: Dr. Alex Anderson

Project RESET supports up to 30 students working toward a master’s degree in special education. The program addresses the shortage of special education teachers in response to expressed needs from the Maryland State Department of Education to increase the number of highly qualified professionals for children with disabilities.

To qualify for the program, Project RESET candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and current teaching certification and have experience working with high intensity needs students; candidates may also live in urban areas.

Learn More and Apply

Special Education Institute for Educators (SEIE)

• PI: Dr. William Drakeford
• Co-PI: Dr. Lynne Long

Project SEIE supports up to 30 students working toward a master’s degree in special education. The program addresses the shortage of special education teachers in response to expressed needs from the Maryland State Department of Education to increase the number of highly qualified professionals for children with disabilities.

To qualify for the program, Project SEIE candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and current teaching certification and have experience working with high-intensity needs students; candidates may also live in urban areas.

Learn More and Apply

Special Education Services (SES)

• PI: Dr. William Drakeford
• Co-PI: Dr. Otis Williams

Project SES, an interdisciplinary graduate program, prepares special education and school psychology professionals to work collaboratively with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) young children who have high-intensity disabilities. Upon completion of the program, Project SES scholars earn an M.Ed. in Special Education or a Master of Arts in School Psychology.

Project SES addresses the shortage of special education teachers and school psychologists in response to expressed needs from the Maryland State Department of Education to increase the number of highly qualified professionals for children with disabilities at the national, state, and local levels. Up to 16 special educators and 14 school psychologists will be prepared to advance in their fields. To qualify for the program, Project SES candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree; M.Ed. candidates must hold a current teaching certification.

Learn More and Apply - M.Ed. in Special Education

Learn More and Apply - M.A. in School Psychology

Preparing Urban Leaders in Special Education (PULSE)

• PI: Dr. William Drakeford
• Co-PI: Dr. Kimetta Hairston

Project PULSE prepares students to become doctoral-level administrators who work in special education fields to meet the demands of high-needs students with disabilities and other underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities; English learners; immigrant/refugee status; low socioeconomic class) in a diverse and inclusive urban setting.

Using sustainable, evidence-based practices, Project PULSE partners annually with 15 educational leaders who are working toward a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a focus on special education. Project PULSE graduates tend to hold higher education leadership positions such as district-level administrator, school superintendent, and special education curriculum leader within diverse neighboring school districts.

*Not currently accepting applications.

Inclusive, Culturally Responsive, and Effective Administrators of Special Education (INCREASE)

• PI: Dr. William Drakeford
• Co-PI: Dr. Kimetta Hairston

Project INCREASE prepares students to become doctoral-level administrators working in special education fields to meet the demands of high-needs students with disabilities and other underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities; English learners; immigrant/refugee status; low socioeconomic class) in a diverse and inclusive urban setting.

Using sustainable, evidence-based practices, Project INCREASE partners annually with 15 educational leaders who are working toward a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a focus on special education. Project INCREASE graduates tend to hold higher education leadership positions such as district-level administrator, school superintendent, and special education curriculum leader within diverse neighboring school districts.

Culturally Responsive and Effective Dynamic Instruction for Black Learners and Educators (CREDIBLE)

• PI: Dr. William Drakeford
• Co-PI: Dr. Kimetta Hairston

Project CREDIBLE prepares students to become doctoral-level administrators who work in special education fields to meet the demands of high-needs students with disabilities and other underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities; English learners; immigrant/refugee status; low socioeconomic class) in a diverse and inclusive urban setting.

Using sustainable, evidence-based practices, Project CREDIBLE partners annually with 15 educational leaders who are working toward a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a focus on special education. Project CREDIBLE graduates tend to hold higher education leadership positions such as district-level administrator, school superintendent, and special education curriculum leader within diverse neighboring school districts.