PVAMU awarded $1.2M grant to expand, diversify educational diagnosticians in Texas

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Oct. 16, 2024) - Prairie View A&M University has been awarded a $1,243,372 grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs to launch Project iSPREAD-ED: Innovative and Sustainable Practices for Recruiting, Educating, and Diversifying Educational Diagnosticians. The initiative is aimed at increasing the number of highly qualified, culturally responsive educational diagnosticians in the field, with a focus on enhancing PVAMU's graduate-level special education program.

With this program, the University is stepping up to address the severe shortage of educational diagnosticians in Texas and nationwide, particularly from underrepresented minority groups.

Through Project iSPREAD-ED, PVAMU is dedicated to preparing professionals equipped to serve children with disabilities, especially those with high-intensity needs. The initiative will forge pathways to attract not only special education teachers but also professionals from other disciplines, broadening the pool of candidates eligible for educational diagnostician certification.

Utilizing research-based, innovative educational practices, the University's faculty will equip future diagnosticians with advanced knowledge, skill sets and strategies to perform timely, accurate evaluations and assessments for students requiring special education services.

Dr. Beverly Sande, associate professor in PVAMU's Whitlowe R. Green College of Education (WRGCOE) and principal investigator of the project, emphasized that Project iSPREAD-ED will particularly focus on addressing the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse exceptional (CLDE) students, who are often underserved in educational settings.

"The funding will allow us to increase the number of certified ed-diags each year," she said. "In the past couple of years, Texas schools have seen the demand for special education almost double, and there is evidence of a nationwide need for teachers."

Addressing the Need for High-Quality Teachers

In recent years, the shortage of qualified special education teachers has reached crisis levels, particularly in rural areas. As of 2015, 48 states reported a shortage of special education teachers, and in many districts, as many as 50% of special education teachers were underqualified.

This shortfall disproportionately affects CLDE students, with teachers often lacking sufficient training in multicultural pedagogy.

The problem is exacerbated in schools serving diverse populations, where unqualified teachers are more likely to be placed in special education roles. Students with disabilities suffer from these staffing issues, as they require consistent support and individualized instruction to thrive academically. PVAMU's initiative aims to alleviate these challenges by preparing educators who not only understand special education practices but also possess the cultural competency needed to effectively serve diverse student populations.

"As an educator, it is important to have individuals in place that want to ensure assessments effectively adhere to the needs of those requiring support in Pre-K to 12 educational settings and beyond," said Dr. Charlotte Fontenot, co-principal investigator for the project and program director in the WRGCOE. "I am excited to be a part of this work and know that those receiving funding from this grant will appreciate having the means needed to support their educational endeavor."

Shortage of Diagnosticians

In Texas, the need for qualified educational diagnosticians has skyrocketed in recent years, driven by increased demand for special education services. However, many schools struggle to fill these positions with certified professionals. Licensed specialists in school psychology and educational diagnosticians often face overwhelming caseloads, making it difficult to complete necessary student evaluations in a timely manner.

PVAMU's Project iSPREAD-ED will directly address this issue by increasing the number of certified educational diagnosticians in the workforce. Not only will the program train more educators to fill these vital roles, but it will also emphasize quality and cultural relevance in the training process. By preparing diagnosticians to meet the needs of all students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, PVAMU is playing a critical role in addressing the educational gaps present in the state's public schools.

Dr. Catherine Kisavi-Atatah, co-principal investigator for the project and assistant professor in PVAMU's School of Public and Allied Health, said the grant presents a revolutionary chance that perfectly resonates with her commitment to promoting equity and diversity in educational settings.

"The advantages for our students are vast as they will receive top-notch training, paving the way for meaningful careers that impact the lives of children with disabilities, in a significant manner," she said. "This initiative brings hope to marginalized groups. I am excited to be involved in something that will make a meaningful difference."

Grant Details and Leadership

The U.S. Department of Education has allocated $1,243,372 over five years to Prairie View A&M University to support Project iSPREAD-ED. The initiative will be led by Drs. Sande, Kisavi-Atatah, Fontenot, and Kay Norman, an adjunct instructor in the WRGCOE. Together, the team is committed to building the necessary infrastructure to support and expand the special education program at PVAMU, with a long-term goal of addressing the chronic shortage of educational diagnosticians in Texas.

With its commitment to fostering innovation and expanding educational opportunities, Prairie View A&M is setting a new standard in the preparation of educational diagnosticians. The University's leadership in this field reflects its broader mission of promoting educational equity and social justice in underserved communities. Project iSPREAD-ED represents a significant step forward in these efforts, offering both immediate and long-term solutions to one of the most pressing challenges in special education today.

Dr. Norman indicated that she was excited about this grant because well-trained educational diagnosticians provide essential information that lays the groundwork for effective, individualized teaching. "Nothing could be more urgent and key to unlocking a student's greatest potential to achieve in school and in life," she said.

-PVAMU-

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