UNC TARS and Teacher Preparation

Overview of UNC Technical Assistance Resources System (UNC TARS)

Purpose: To provide systematic assistance for strengthening teacher education programs preparing teachers of students with disabilities.

The UNC TARS Content Framework

 > Program Alignment with the new Special Education license standards and standards indicators
 > Improving student recruitment
 > Developing course projects aligned with license standards
 > Course Development and Content
 > Updating faculty knowledge and skills
 > Establishing partnerships with LEAs and community colleges
 > Student exit evaluation
 > Preparation for NCATE and State program reviews

The Technical Assistance Process involves a systematic and sequential series of activities including:

> Needs assessment visit to review the current status of the teacher education program across the elements of the TA Content Framework.

> Development of a TA Plan based-on the results of the needs assessment that consists of the goals, objectives, activities and evaluation procedures for the TA efforts for strengthening the teacher education program.

> Delivery of the TA and resources that may include assistance from selected teacher educators that have demonstrated expertise in the area of assistance, visits to other teacher education programs and/or LEA instructional programs to review a strong program in the area of need, and the provision of resource materials.

> Evaluation of the progress of the teacher education toward meeting the TA goals to determine the effectiveness of the technical assistance efforts.

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Application Process and the UNC TARS Steering Committee

Who can Apply?

North Carolina colleges and universities that have an approved program for the preparation of teachers of students with disabilities are eligible to apply for the technical assistance and resources.

Application Process

If your program is interested in applying for the TA services contact Jennifer Averitt at the Center for School Leadership Development. (jsorrow@northcarolina.edu; (919) 843-5037). An application form will be sent to you to fill out and return to the UNC TARS project. Depending on applications, four to five teacher education programs will be selected to participate in the program each year. As of spring 2006, three applications have been submitted and accepted. In general the TA agreement will be for a one-year duration and new programs will be selected each year.

Steering Committee

A Steering Committee has been appointed to assist the UNC TARS program in the selection of programs receiving TA, program needs assessments, and the technical assistance planning. The members of the TA Steering Committee are John Dixon, Elizabeth City State University; Judith Howard, Elon University; Ernest McNeill, Fayetteville State University; Laura Snyder, Director, NC SIP II, Department of Public Instruction; Sandra Warren, East Carolina University; and Richard White, UNC Charlotte.

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