Grants & Research

Project CREDIBLE (Culturally Responsive and Effective, Dynamic Instruction for Black Learners and Educators)

Principal Investigator: Dr. William Drakeford

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Sean Coleman

The increased need for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) leaders in special education is well known. Project CREDIBLE (Culturally Responsive and Effective, Dynamic Instruction for Black Learners and Educators) prepares students to become doctoral-level administrators who work in special education fields to meet the demands of high-needs students with disabilities and other underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities; English learners; immigrant/refugee status; low socioeconomic class) in a diverse and inclusive urban setting.

Using sustainable, evidence-based practices, Project CREDIBLE partners annually with 15 educational leaders who are working toward a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a focus on special education. Project CREDIBLE graduates tend to hold higher education leadership positions such as district-level administrator, school superintendent, and special education curriculum leader within neighboring diverse school districts, including Montgomery County Public Schools, Charles County Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, and Prince George’s County Public Schools.

For more information, contact the College of Education Grants Office at 301-860-3146 or wdrakeford@bowiestate.edu.

Project ECDI (Early Childhood Development Institute)

Principal Investigator: Dr. William Drakeford

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Yvonne Crawford

The effects of education are lifelong and multigenerational, and there is a critical need for highly effective professionals at the national, state, and local level who serve culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) children with high-intensity disabilities. Project ECDI supports up to 30 students working toward a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/special education.

Project ECDI addresses the shortage of special education teachers in response to expressed needs from the Maryland State Department of Education to increase the number of highly qualified professionals for children with disabilities. Project ECDI candidates tend to be paraprofessionals and teacher’s aides, including individuals from underrepresented groups, who hold an associate’s degree (at least 60 credit hours) and have experience working with high-intensity needs students; scholars may also live in urban areas.

For more information, contact the College of Education Grants Office at 301-860-3146 or wdrakeford@bowiestate.edu.

Project INCREASE (Inclusive, Culturally Responsive, Effective Administrators of Special Education)

Principal Investigator: Dr. William Drakeford

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Sean Coleman

The increased need for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) leaders in special education is well known. Project INCREASE (Inclusive, Culturally Responsive, Effective Administrators of Special Education) prepares students to become doctoral-level administrators working in special education fields to meet the demands of high-needs students with disabilities and other underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities; English learners; immigrant/refugee status; low socioeconomic class) in a diverse and inclusive urban setting.

Using sustainable, evidence-based practices, Project INCREASE partners annually with 15 educational leaders who are working toward a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a focus on special education. Project INCREASE graduates tend to hold higher education leadership positions such as district-level administrator, school superintendent, and special education curriculum leader within neighboring diverse school districts, including Montgomery County Public Schools, Charles County Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, and Prince George’s County Public Schools.

For more information, contact the College of Education Grants Office at 301-860-3146 or wdrakeford@bowiestate.edu.

Project SEIE (Special Education Institute for Educators)

Principal Investigator: Dr. William Drakeford

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Lynne Long

The effects of education are lifelong and multigenerational, and there is a critical need for highly effective professionals at the national, state, and local level who serve culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) children with high-intensity disabilities. Project SEIE supports up to 30 students working toward a master’s degree in special education.

Project SEIE addresses the shortage of special education teachers in response to expressed needs from the Maryland State Department of Education to increase the number of highly qualified professionals for children with disabilities. To qualify for the program, Project SEIE candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and current teaching certification and have experience working with high-intensity needs students; candidates may also live in urban areas.

Download SEIE Application Form

For more information, contact the College of Education Grants Office at 301-860-3146 or wdrakeford@bowiestate.edu.

Project SES (Special Education Support Services)

Principal Investigator: Dr. William Drakeford

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Otis Williams

Research shows that a holistic approach to learning has the potential to improve outcomes significantly for students. Project SES, an interdisciplinary graduate program, prepares special education and school psychology professionals to work collaboratively with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) young children who have high-intensity disabilities. Upon completion of the program, Project SES scholars earn an M.Ed. in Special Education or a Master of Arts in School Psychology.

Project SES addresses the shortage of special education teachers and school psychologists in response to expressed needs from the Maryland State Department of Education to increase the number of highly qualified professionals for children with disabilities at the national, state, and local levels. Up to 16 special educators and 14 school psychologists will be prepared to advance in their fields, with an emphasis on individuals from underrepresented groups. To qualify for the program, Project SES candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree; M.Ed. candidates must hold a current teaching certification.

Download SES Application Form – M.Ed./Special Education Track

Download SES Application Form – M.A./CAS/School Psychology Track

For more information, contact the College of Education Grants Office at 301-860-3146 or wdrakeford@bowiestate.edu.