Congressman Gonzalez Announces $1,243,658 for UTRGV for Special Education Training Program

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced $1,243,658 in funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs for a five-year program called Project PLEASE (Program for Leaders to Educate and Advocate for Special Education) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Project PLEASE will train 14 district educators from the Rio Grande Valley to administer special education and early intervention programs.

Educators selected for Project PLEASE will have the opportunity to earn a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Special Education.

"We need teachers who are able to empathize, connect and have a greater understanding of special education and the learning process in the classroom with special needs students," said Congressman Gonzalez. "As your congressman, I will continue to promote robust special education programs because everyone has the right to an education."

"We take a lot of pride in serving as The Valley's University, and this is yet another example of how UTRGV will engage our communities to help strengthen our education system," said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. "I thank Congressman Gonzalez and everyone at UTRGV who assisted in obtaining this grant."

"Our team is grateful to have the support of our Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, as well as that of our school districts in acquiring this personnel training grant to prepare 14 special education leaders through our Education Doctoral Program," said Dr. Hsyuing C. Ward, Ph. D., Associate Professor at the College of Education at UTRGV. "With the collaboration from the nine partner school districts, we know we will ensure best special education practices and improve the learning outcomes of the children with disabilities in our region."

Nine school districts will nominate two district educators to apply for Project PLEASE. These educators should be presently in a position with a focus on special education, have the potential to be a leader in special education, have the passion to serve special education students, and the persistence to complete a doctoral program.

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