Lamar University’s internationally renowned Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education has earned a $760,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Universities in 14 states were awarded $4.37 million to help train doctoral students to work with children with disabilities. Lamar will receive the funds over four years.
“This was a leadership competition of all the doctoral programs in the United States with special education programs,” said Tony Martin, chair of Lamar’s Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. “We were the only deaf education program in the nation to receive a grant.”
Lamar’s Doctor of Education in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education is one of two in the United States. The nationally certified program is the largest graduate program of its kind in Texas. It attracts master’s and doctoral students from outside the United States.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the grants will help children with disabilities by training doctoral and post-doctoral students in early intervention, special education or related services. Some money will also be used to prepare master's degree students for special education administration and supervision.
"We hope to build a corps of highly qualified personnel to help children with disabilities reach their academic potential," said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. "Research has consistently suggested that there is a persistent need for additional special education and related services personnel who have been trained at the doctoral and post-doctoral levels. These experts can play a critical role in improving the quality of services for children with disabilities and their families."
Lamar will receive $190,000 a year for four years, beginning in 2009. The money will help fund student scholarships, research, travel to conferences and a coordinator to oversee the grant. “The most important thing is to provide financial assistance to students pursuing an advanced degree,” said Martin. “Most people do not fully realize the financial hardship associated with obtaining a higher degree.”
Jean Andrews, coordinator of Lamar’s graduate programs in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, led the grant application process and will be the project director for the grant while Martin oversees the budgetary allotment of the endowment.
For more information about the Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education at Lamar University, visit http://dept.lamar.edu/cofac/deptdeaf.
