Program Overview
The University of Rhode Island’s Feinstein College of Education has launched Project SUSTAIN, a comprehensive program designed to address critical shortages in qualified special education personnel across Rhode Island. Funded by a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Programs, Project SUSTAIN will support the development of a highly skilled and diverse special education teacher workforce. The initiative spans five years and aims to improve educational outcomes for children with disabilities by enhancing the capacity of schools to serve high-need populations.
Program Goals
- Prepare Special Education Professionals: Equip 30 participants with the skills to earn a URI master’s degree and certification in special education, as well as a graduate certificate in dyslexia knowledge and practice.
- Enhance Equity and Inclusion: Focus on recruiting, retaining, and sustaining educators from historically underrepresented groups, including those from racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse backgrounds.
- Address Shortages in Special Education: Collaborate with urban school districts to reduce reliance on emergency teaching certifications and ensure a consistent, well-prepared workforce.
Key Partnerships
Project SUSTAIN will work closely with the following organizations to implement its initiatives:
- Providence Public Schools
- Woonsocket Public Schools
- Central Falls Public Schools
- Rhode Island Institute for Labor Studies and Research
These partnerships will facilitate practical training opportunities and create pathways for current and aspiring special educators.
Curriculum and Training
Participants in Project SUSTAIN will undergo a rigorous, equity-centered preparation program that includes:
- A 33 credit hour, two-year program leading to Rhode Island licensure in:
- Elementary & Middle School Special Education
- Secondary & Middle School Special Education
- Certification in special education and a specialized graduate certificate in dyslexia knowledge and practice.
- Coursework scheduled in the afternoons and evenings to accommodate working professionals, such as teachers, paraeducators, and others currently working with youth with disabilities.
- Fieldwork and hands-on experience within partner school districts, emphasizing inclusion and culturally responsive teaching.
- Clinical residency placements aligned with participants’ job responsibilities, developed in collaboration with partner school districts.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- U.S. citizenship or national status.
- Commitment to working in a diverse school community.
- Willingness to work in a special education role following completion of the program.
- Agreement to fulfill service obligations required by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) after training.
- Fulfillment of URI Graduate School admission requirements.
Leadership Team
The project is led by a team of experienced educators and researchers:
- Adam Moore, Associate Professor of Special Education, Principal Investigator
“Leveraging our relationships with district leaders will allow the project team to effectively network within each of these organizations.” - Danielle Dennis, Dean of URI Feinstein College of Education, Principal Investigator
“Project SUSTAIN embodies our commitment to equity and justice in teacher preparation.” - Theresa Deeney, Professor of Reading and Learning Disabilities, Co-Investigator
- Tashal Brown, Assistant Professor of Urban Education and Secondary Social Studies, Co-Investigator
Advisory Board
Project SUSTAIN is supported by an advisory board that includes local and national leaders in special education:
- Ruby Owiny, Past President, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children
“This funding will help diversify the special education teacher workforce within the state of Rhode Island.”
Addressing Critical Needs
According to the U.S. Department of Education, Rhode Island has experienced significant shortages in special education teachers at both the elementary and secondary levels. Since 2021, 19% of all emergency teaching certificates issued in the state have been in special education, with 63% of these certificates concentrated in five urban districts: Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, and Warwick. Project SUSTAIN seeks to mitigate these shortages by providing well-prepared, certified educators who are committed to long-term careers in special education.
Financial Support
Participants will receive financial support and tuition assistance, made possible by funding from the Office of Special Education Programs.
How to Apply
Professionals interested in participating in Project SUSTAIN can apply through the URI Feinstein College of Education. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- A demonstrated commitment to working in special education.
- A desire to serve high-need student populations in Rhode Island.
For more information, visit the URI Feinstein College of Education website or contact the program coordinators.