Metro READY

University-Community Partnerships to Prepare & Support Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Educators in Urban Inclusive Settings

1. What is Metro READY?

Metro READY is a federally funded personnel preparation project awarded to VCU’s School of Education to prepare early intervention personnel and early childhood special educators. The training model promotes acquisition of research-based knowledge and development of specific skills to promote school readiness and inclusion of young children with disabilities by working with families and practitioners in diverse urban settings.

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2. What makes Metro READY unique?

• Meets state and national needs for highly qualified personnel in EI/ECSE
• Promotes readiness of young children with disabilities for long term academic success
• Builds research-to-practice links through partnerships in diverse metropolitan settings
• Prepares graduates for realities of practice and supports beginning special educators
• Emphasizes a consultative and integrated model of service delivery with opportunities for implementation in natural and inclusive environments within an urban community
• Provides integrated training opportunties with related service personnel and early childhood educators
• Provides an online Community of Practice
• Provides a family mentorship experience
• Provides tuition support

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3. What disciplines are involved in Metro READY?

There are six disciplines currently involved.  You will have the opportunity to interact with the following interdisciplinary faculty as they present to classes, participate in the online community of practice, and participate in the annual summer seminar.

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4. What are the requirements for Metro READY?

To apply for Metro READY scholarship assistance a student must be:

• Accepted into the VCU ECSE graduate program and have passing Praxis I scores OR;
• Employed as a special educator and seeking credentials in early childhood special education endorsement

ECSE Graduate Program:  In addition to the graduate program of study you are required to take two additional early childhood education (ECE) courses, participate in a family mentorship experience, participate in the online community of practice for two semesters, and provide a poster presentation at the Metro READY annual summer seminar.

Endorsement Program:  In addition to completion of your individualized program of study (must include a minimum of 18 hours of graduate work in ECSE with at least one semester of field supervision and two early childhood courses) you will also  participate in a family mentorship experience, participate in the online community of practice for two semesters, and provide a poster presentation at the Metro READY annual summer seminar.

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5. Which Early Childhood Education courses are required?

Metro READY scholars are required to take TEDU 542: Cross Cultural Perspectives of Child-Rearing and Education and TEDU 622: Creative and Cognitive Development.

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6. What is the online Community of Practice?

The required ECSE 603:  Integrated Early Childhood Programs course is designed for ECE and ECSE educators and focuses on policies, procedures, and systems change to create more high quality, inclusive early childhood programs.  This course will be offered as an intensive 1 week course in the summer with an online component that extends throughout the academic year, creating an online community of practice (CoP) for dialog about local inclusive services planning and implementation among faculty, students, and beginning and veteran personnel. 

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7. How is my tuition paid?

Metro READY scholars are required to seek tuition support from their local school system and the Virginia Department of Education, if employed, and to apply for School of Education scholarships.  Metro READY scholarship assistance is limited to the amount by which the cost of attendance at Virginia Commonwealth University exceeds the amount of grant assistance receive for the same academic year from other funding sources.

The program coordinator, Belinda Hooper, will process tuition awards in late August (for fall semester), late December (for spring semester), and in mid-May (for summer semester).  Tuition awards are deposited directly into your student account.  It is your responsibility to notify Financial Aid of this grant award.

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8. Is there a “payback” for accepting the grant funds?

Yes, students must fulfill the payback requirement by providing early intervention, early childhood special education, or special education services to children with disabilities for 2 full years for every year full assistance is received or prorated, based upon the amount of tuition assistance received.  The U.S. Department of Education tracks your service obligation and it is your responsibility to maintain ongoing communication with them while completing your service obligation.

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9. Whom shall I contact for more information?

Contact Belinda Hooper, project coordinator, at 804-827-2663 or email bbhooper@vcu.edu