August 9, 2004
O'Connell Announces $6 Million Federal Grant
Awarded to California Department of Education
State Improvement Grant Focuses on Special Education Services
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the California Department of Education (CDE) has been awarded a second State Improvement Grant (SIG) from the federal government of more than $2 million a year, over the next three years.
"Clearly by providing this second grant, the federal government acknowledges the important work this department has accomplished in improving special education services for California students," stated O'Connell. "These new funds ensure the research and effective teaching practices that began with the first grant will continue."
CDE was awarded the first SIG in 1998. That grant funded statewide and regional institutes to support partnerships to improve special education services. In addition, the funds supported an extensive network of training and technical assistance opportunities for schools and educators throughout the state.
The work of the new grant will support improving special education services in California in numerous areas: the quality and the number of teachers and other personnel who work with students with disabilities; the coordination of services for students with disabilities; the behavioral supports available for students with disabilities; academic outcomes especially in the area of literacy; the participation of parents and family members; and the collection and dissemination of data. The grant has a significant site-based component that will make use of an entire network of educators who have been trained through the first SIG to assist schools in implementing research-proven behavioral approaches.
Finally, the grant will provide financial support for parents who have limited resources so that they are able to participate in systems-change efforts at the local, regional, and state levels.
The CalSTAT Project (California Services for Technical Assistance and Training), part of the California Institute on Human Services at Sonoma State University, will continue to assist the department in implementing the SIG for the state. To learn more about the new State Improvement Grant, please visit the CalSTAT [http://www.calstat.org] (Outside Source) Web site.
