ADSOE Awarded $272,000 SUCCEED Grant to Train Special Education Teachers

The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department in the Adrian Dominican School of Education at Barry University has again received the Project SUCCEED Florida teacher preparation grant. This grant, in the amount of $272,453, is designed to increase the number of qualified special education teachers in the state of Florida.

This is the third consecutive year the School of Education has received a Project SUCCEED grant. With this newest grant, tuition scholarships have been made available for 15 qualified students. Qualifying students with an associate’s degree or its equivalent (at least 60 credits) will receive tuition scholarships during the junior year of their bachelor’s degree program, with the potential to receive additional scholarships during their senior year. Through this program, students will obtain a bachelor’s degree in ESE with an English for Speakers of Other Languages and reading endorsement; immediately qualify for a Florida professional teaching certificate in ESE; and be adequately equipped to address the needs of at-risk students and those with disabilities.

“The objectives of Project SUCCEED are closely aligned with the mission of Barry University,” said Dr. Judy Harris-Looby, co-director of the Project SUCCEED program at Barry. “Through Project SUCCEED, Barry University will contribute significantly in the effort to reduce Florida’s critical need to recruit and train highly qualified special education teachers.”

Academic courses for this program will be offered in eight and 16-week cycles with classes taking place at Barry’s main campus in Miami Shores. Students will receive individualized advisement, close monitoring and support for academic progress, on the job mentoring in ESE and reading, and assisted job placement.

For more information, call Dr. Harris-Looby at (305) 899-3709, or e-mail jhlooby@mail.barry.edu.