11/17/95

Roy Summerford (summero@mail.auburn.edu)

AUBURN, TUSKEGEE JOIN FORCES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

AUBURN -- Auburn University and Tuskegee University have received a three-year, $300,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education for training of African-American special education teachers.

Richard Kunkel, dean of the AU College of Education, said the partnership would strengthen the ties between both universities while directing talented students into careers in special education and related fields.

Through an agreement between the universities and the Department of Education, about 30 Tuskegee undergraduates in special education will take several required courses at Auburn, and Tuskegee graduates in special education will be eligible to enroll in master's certification programs at AU. Graduates of such programs work to improve rehabilitation of and services for persons with disabilities.

In addition, as many as 100 high school students will attend two- week Summer Special Education Careers Institutes over three years at the two campuses and the Alabama Special Camp for Children and Adults (Camp ASCCA) at Lake Martin.

"The two weeks will provide these youth an excellent opportunity to learn of special education as a career choice," said Philip Browning, head of the Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education in the AU College of Education. "Also, it is intended to help prepare them to attend a four-year college or university."

nov95:AU-specialed