OU Receives $2.4 Million Collaborative Grant

The University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas have partnered to help meet the need for transition-based special education services with the project Razorback-Sooner Scholars: Leaders for Transition.

The project will recruit, train, support and prepare leaders at higher education institutions to, in turn, prepare future educators in evidence-based transition practices. Those special education teachers will then help students with high-need disabilities – for example, those with intellectual disabilities or those who have autism spectrum disorder – to flourish as they move into adulthood.

Leaders for Transition is funded through a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The project will provide a unique, funded doctoral experience for 10 students at the two universities who want to be special education assistant professors interested in transition services for youth with disabilities and their families.

“There is a shortage of university professors knowledgeable in transition education,” said Kendra Williams-Diehm, an associate professor of special education at OU. “This grant and partnership will help the next generation of professors, and thus pre-service educators, have this knowledge. It is very exciting.”

The universities will leverage their combined expertise in special education transition, current graduate-level transition content, and university, state and national partnerships to prepare future leaders to address this gap in transition-focused educator preparation and research.

Razorback-Sooner Scholars will receive tuition and fee waivers, an annual stipend for up to four years, travel support, space to work on campus, a new laptop computer and mentoring from leaders in the field. At the end of four years, scholars will earn graduate certificates in special education transition services.

Scholar applications at the University of Oklahoma are due by Feb. 1 for fall 2020 admission.