KU Para to Teacher Pathway Project (KU-PTP)
Project Description
Funding available for paraprofessionals to earn a teaching license in low-incidence disabilities!
The University of Kansas Department of Special Education invites applications for a federally funded personnel preparation program that provides tuition and a stipend to prepare successful paraprofessionals to earn a teaching license in low-incidence disabilities.
Eligibility for the Scholarship:
- Be a US citizen
- Be a Kansas Resident
- Meet KU Admissions eligibility requirements
- Visit https://specialedu.ku.edu/academics/low-incidence-disabilities/masters/details and scroll down to "Low Incidence Disabilities Master’s Graduate Admission" for more information.
- Agree to and be eligible to fulfill US Department of Education service obligations
- Visit https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/home/faq for more information.
- Earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Completed at least one full year of experience as a special education paraprofessional working with students with low-incidence disabilities (“severe” disabilities)
- Can verify that a Kansas school will employ and support you as a low-incidence teacher
Other qualifications for the Limited Residency License (LRL):
Qualifications of Candidates
- Earned a Bachelor’s degree (from a regionally accredited university)
- Obtained a GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale for the most recent 60 semester credit hours earned by the candidate
- Completed a minimum of one full school year as a full‐time special education paraprofessional under the supervision of a special education teacher
- Extensive long‐term special education substitute experience will be considered on an individual basis for equivalency to the described paraprofessional experience.
- Verify that a local education agency (school district) will employ and support you in an appropriate low-incidence special education teaching assignment during the completion of the program under the LRL license.
Outcomes
- Limited Residency License in Low-Incidence Special Education
- Optional Master’s degree in Special Education
Program Components:
- Acquire skills to be a highly effective low-incidence special education teacher
- A two-year program of study with intensive mentoring and fieldwork experience
Scholarship Participant Benefits:
- Tuition and fees paid at in-state rate
- Additional $3,000 stipend to cover other costs such as books, wifi, and dependent care in Fall and Spring semesters
- Extensive mentoring from KU faculty and staff, KU graduates, and school district personnel
- Funding to attend at least one national conference (out of state travel)
- Complete the program while you are teaching in your school
Personnel
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are courses offered online or in person?
A1: The coursework will be offered in person on the Lawrence campus. All classes are synchronous, meaning we meet together in real time.
Classes will be held from 5:00–7:30 p.m., typically two or three evenings per week, Monday through Thursday, to accommodate teaching schedules.
Q2: Can I complete the program if I do not already have a bachelor’s degree?
A2: The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) requires all people obtaining a teaching credential through this Limited Residency License to have a bachelor’s degree.
Additionally, you must have at least a 2.5 GPA in your last 60 credit hours (out of a 4.0 scale).
Q3: What are the requirements for school districts?
A3: The KSDE has the following requirements for school districts hiring a teacher on the Limited Residency License:
- Assign a mentor and provide an approved mentor program
- Place the candidate in an appropriate assignment
Q4: Will I have a full teaching license after completing this program?
A4: After you complete the program of study, you will be eligible for a standard initial teaching license, allowing you to work as a teacher in Kansas! After earning your Limited Residency License, you must complete at least one full year of additional mentoring before being upgraded to the full professional license.
Q5: Can I do fieldwork/practicum in my own school?
A5:Yes, you are expected to do your fieldwork and/or practicum in your own school. This coursework and fieldwork/practicum require you to teach students with “severe” or “low-incidence” disabilities.
Q6: What does the scholarship pay for?
A6: Your full tuition and fees will be paid for the 35-credit hour program of study. Additionally, you will receive $3,000 per semester for program-related expenses, such as dependent care, books, travel to campus, or other necessary expenses.
Q7: What do I need to do to earn the optional Master’s degree?
You would need to take two additional courses (6 credits).