Grants and Special Projects

Virginia Training/Technical Assistance Centers (T/TAC)

The mission of Virginia's Training/Technical Assistance Centers (T/TAC) is to improve educational opportunities and contribute to the success of children and youth with disabilities (birth - 22 years). The Centers provide quality training and technical assistance in response to local, regional, and state needs. T/TAC services increase the capacity of schools, school personnel, service providers, and families to meet the needs of children and youth.

MathVIDS

MathVIDS is an interactive web site designed to assist teachers in effectively teaching students who have difficulty learning math. Access to this site is restricted to professional educators in K-12 and Higher Education institutions.

The Learning Toolbox

A website to provide tools and resource for high school students with learning difficulties to become more effective learners.

Special Education Content Teaching/Learning Academy

The Academy was designed for special education teachers working with students with disabilities K-12 who are placed in the general curriculum for all or part of their school day. The Academy was developed based on a framework exploring the integration of various approaches to curriculum. These included techniques for remediating basic skill weaknesses of students with disabilities as well as strategies for modifying or accommodating these students in the general education classroom. In addition, participants explored models of collaboration and co-teaching.

Learning Leaders

Learning Leaders is a mentoring program for children and youth who have learning disabilities and attentional difficulties. Students attending James Madison University, (JMU) who have learning disabilities and attentional difficulties and who are registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), provide academic and emotional support to children and youth with similar disabilities. These "Learning Leaders" receive instruction in mentoring and tutoring techniques from special education faculty and they receive one hour of university credit for their participation. The ultimate goal of the Learning Leaders program is to provide children with disabilities an adult role model who has "been there" and has successfully learned how to cope with the challenges of a learning or attention disorder. This program is funded by the Alvin V. Baird Attention and Learning Disability Center (ALDC).

Jobs In Vocational Education (JIVE)

The purpose of the JIVE Program is to create a secondary transition education program where RCPS students with disabilities are provided with a variety of situational assessments enhancing their ability to make choices, and develop independence, educational, career and interpersonal skills. JIVE also provides an authentic learning and teaching environment for JMU graduate students preparing to work in the field of disabilities as they job coach RCPS students on the JMU campus. This program also helps the JMU community to better understand and appreciate persons with disabilities.