California Educator Preparation Innovation Collaborative (CalEPIC) on the Move
Cultivating reciprocal partnerships requires multiple touchpoints. As engaged partners, Dr. Charlotte Achieng Evensen, CalEPIC Senior Transformation Specialist, and Dr. Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge, CalEPIC Project Manager, travel throughout California to visit their five partner Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs): University of San Francisco, University of Redlands, Loyola Marymount University, Claremont Graduate University, and Saint Mary’s College of California.
Equity Focused Leaders in Transition and Inclusion Join the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI)
Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI) has grown with the addition of three new team members. The latest additions to the team reflect TPI’s commitment to creating cutting-edge practices to increase inclusion in schools and communities for those who have often been underserved, including youth and adults with disabilities, those who are Black, Latinx, LGBTQIA+,
Thompson Policy Institute on Disability Expands Access and Outcomes for Students with Disabilities in Secondary Schools
Farb Middle School, San Diego Unified School District, and Savanna High School, Anaheim Union High School District, join six middle schools in the Poway Unified School District to participate in the Strategic Practices for the Advancement of Inclusive Schooling (SPAIS) grant.These eight schools will work toward fulfilling the mission of SPAIS to increase access and
The Thompson Policy Institute on Disability and El Dorado County Charter SELPA Partner to Build Bright Futures with $400,000 Grant
The California Department of Education awarded Thompson Policy Institute on Disability, in partnership with El Dorado County Charter SELPA, a grant in the amount of $419,794.00 to further Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and Person Driven Planning (PDP) for educators in Southern California charter schools. The Building Bright Futures Program supports the
TPI Partners with OC Groups Toward a Brighter Future for People with Disabilities
Throughout California, the employment rate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) remains alarmingly low at 14.2%, when compared to the general population rate at 76.5% (Department of Developmental Services, 2016). The Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI), in partnership with many service providers, agencies, K-12 and post-secondary education institutions, developed the Orange County
Thompson Policy Institute on Disability Adds Another Leader in Equity and Inclusion to the Team
Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI) is pleased to announce that Dr. Kevin Stockbridge has joined the team as the CalEPIC Project Manager. As part of the California Educator Preparation Innovation Collaborative (CalEPIC), Dr. Stockbridge will collaborate with Dr. Charlotte Achieng-Evensen, CalEPIC Senior Transformation Specialist, in supporting CalEPIC’s vision to build the capacity of California’s
The Thompson Policy Institute on Disability Welcomes New Team Members
Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI) has hired staff for three new positions. The new staff members will support TPI in establishing the California Educator Preparation Innovation Collaborative (CalEPIC) and developing the Strategic Practices for the Advancement of Inclusive Schooling (SPAIS). Through CalEPIC and SPAIS, Charlotte Achieng Evensen and Jill Perez will work toward improving
Dr. Cathery Yeh of Chapman University and Dr. Daniel Reinholtz of San Diego State University, in collaboration with Drs. Meghan Cosier and Audri Gomez of TPI, have been awarded $14,676 to develop the Anti-Bias Developing and Researching STEM Education (ARISE) Project. The Office of Research, the Provost, and the Vice Provost for Academic Administration selected
Setting our Students up for Long-Term Success
By: Rachel Wiegand, Amy Jane Griffiths Introduction Imagine a former student with a disability arriving at her newly earned place of employment. As a member of her Transition-Focused IEP Team, you, your student, and all stakeholders collaborated extensively to ensure that her transition plan met her needs, suited her interests, and aligned to her long
Navigating the Special Education System with a Disability Studies Lens, Part 1
This blog post is the first of a three part series on navigating the special education system with a disability studies lens, written by Stephen Hinkle. Stephen is a Chapman Ph.D. student, self-advocate, international speaker, and a person on the autism spectrum. ____________________________________________________________________________ Since its beginning, the American special education system has been based on