Training Professionals to Implement Evidence-Based Practices for
Students with High-Intensity Needs
The CASE Scholars program is a training experience designed for a select group of University of Washington master’s students in speech-language pathology and special education teacher preparation. The program is designed for first-year master’s students interested in working in the public schools.
Through the traineeship, CASE Scholars develop competencies in evidence-based practices, promoting high-expectations, universal design for learning and culturally sustaining pedagogy, and interdisciplinary teaming. These competencies prepare CASE Scholars to collaboratively serve children with complex and high-intensity academic and therapeutic needs. CASE Scholars in speech-language pathology and special education collaboratively cross-train through shared coursework, a dedicated monthly seminar, and community learning activities. Tuition assistance is available for CASE Scholars during the first year of graduate study, which mandates a 2-year post-graduation service agreement in the public schools.
Training Expectations for all CASE scholars in speech-language pathology and special education:
- Collaboratively cross-train through two shared courses, a dedicated monthly seminar, community learning activities, and professional learning communities.
- Two-year service agreement in the public schools post-graduation
Funding for Participants:
- During the first year of M.S. study and CASE training (Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters), students receive tuition assistance of approximately $5500 per quarter.
CASE Scholars Program Leadership
Carly Roberts, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
College of Education
Selma Powell, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer & Special Education Teacher Education Program Director
College of Education
Sara Kover, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program Director
Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences
Application
The CASE Scholars Program is not currently accepting new applicants. In previous years, the CASE Scholars application has been completed as an optional part of the UW graduate application for those students who wish to be considered; in other circumstances, we have invited accepted MS students to apply using a brief online application form. Cohorts of CASE applicants have received notification of decisions in mid/late March. In all cases, if you apply to the CASE Scholars Program, your status as a CASE Scholar will be known to you prior to the decision deadline to accept the offer of admission to the M.S. program. Questions can be directed to Dr. Sara Kover (skover@uw.edu).
Applicant Requirements
- Current or accepted M.S. student in Speech-Language Pathology
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident, according to the following (see FAQ below)
- Agreement to fulfill a two-year service agreement in the public schools immediately post-graduation
- If the service obligation is not completed students will be required to repay the funding received through the CASE program
CASE Scholars Core Competencies
The CASE Scholars Program is designed to increase the number of speech-language pathologists and special educators who are fully prepared to collaborate across disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based, intensive, individualized instruction for students with high-intensity needs through training and support of master’s-level graduate students. During the program, CASE Scholars will develop competencies that enable them to: (1) employ evidence-based practices and high-leverage practices that promote academic, behavioral, and social development of students with high-intensity needs through intensive, individualized instruction and intervention; (2) promote high-expectations for students by developing strong relationships with their students that value student identity, language, and culture; (3) leverage principles of differentiated instruction, Universal Design for Learning, and culturally sustaining pedagogy to advance equity and inclusion; and (4) collaboratively team with diverse stakeholders, including parents, families, and other educational professionals to coordinate and deliver services for students.
CASE Conceptual Model
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible for the CASE Scholars Program?
Master’s students in Speech-Language-Pathology or Special Education, interested in serving in the public schools. Special Education students must be working Instructional Assistants (IA); priority will be given to IAs in Seattle Public Schools. Federal regulations limit the program to U.S. Citizens and nationals. More about this regulation can be found here. Additional information that might be of use can be found here as well: regulations and general guidance regarding federal aid for non-U.S. citizens.
What are the training components of the CASE Scholars program?
CASE Scholars participate in a dedicated monthly seminar (meeting 2 to 3 times per quarter) and two shared courses. EDSPE 501, Foundations in Special Education, is held in the Autumn quarter of the first year of training. EDSPE 563, Collaborating with Families and Professionals, is held in the Winter quarter of the second year of training. Through the dedicated seminar, students engage in community learning activities (CLA) and professional learning communities (PLC). Note that in the rare circumstance that a CASE Scholar is in the final year of their graduate program, EDSPE 563 will be taken in the Winter quarter of the first year.
What are the core competencies that CASE Scholars build?
The core competencies are (1) employing evidence-based practices and high-leverage practices that promote academic, behavioral, and social development of students with high-intensity needs through intensive, individualized instruction and intervention; (2) promoting high-expectations for students by developing strong relationships with their students that value student identity, language, and culture; (3) leveraging principles of differentiated instruction, Universal Design for Learning, and culturally sustaining pedagogy to advance equity and inclusion; and (4) collaboratively teaming with diverse stakeholders, including parents, families, and other educational professionals to coordinate and deliver services for students.They are addressed through the dedicated seminar, community learning activities, professional learning communities, and shared courses (EDSPE 501 and EDSPE 563). The following framework guides the training components in relation to the competencies.
What are the resources provided to CASE Scholars?
CASE Scholars receive tuition support for three quarters.
What is the service obligation associated with the CASE Scholars Program?
CASE Scholars sign a pre-scholarship service agreement for two years of service within a five year window. The agreement can be seen here.
Where can the service obligation be completed?
The service obligation must be completed in a school that is covered by IDEA. As this is a federally funded program, not one funded by Washington State, the pay-back service can be completed anywhere in the United States, its territories, and the Freely Associated States that receive IDEA funds. More information on this can be found here.
Grant Funding
The CASE Scholars Program is funded by the Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in the U.S. Department of Education. Grant H325K190028 was submitted under Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities, Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Early Support for Infants and Toddlers, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.325K, Focus Area B.
The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.