Welcome to the Department of Special Education at the University of Florida. We appreciate your interest in our department, the programs we offer, and the research produced by our faculty.
As you visit our web site, you will find information about our academic programs and faculty as well as projects and activities within the department.
The mission of the Department of Special Education is to promote the successful inclusion of individuals with disabilities and their families in society through excellence in the education of teachers and leaders, the generation of new knowledge, and the application of existing knowledge.
We employ a multifaceted approach to carry out our mission including excellent academic programs, practical application of knowledge in real world settings, and a variety of research opportunities.
Our undergraduate and master's degree programs prepare teachers to work effectively with students with disabilities in inclusive settings.
Our advanced graduate degrees prepare professionals for leadership roles in schools, school districts, and higher education. Additionally, faculty and doctoral students are involved in grant activities and other projects and scholarly pursuits designed to enhance the lives of students with disabilities and their success within academic and social contexts.
New Doctoral leadership grant information:
Project PRAIS
Preparing Researchers in Assistive Technology Application in Inclusive General Education Contexts for Students with Significant Disabilities
Project PRAIS will prepare three doctoral-level leaders through integrated coursework and practical work with schools to increase the capacity of special education leaders in five domains: (a) knowledge and use of research-based interventions to effectively educate and improve outcomes for students with significant disabilities, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, on state academic content in general education contexts; (b) knowledge and use of research-based strategies leading to use of assistive technology by students with significant disabilities in general education contexts; (c) knowledge and use of research-based teacher education pedagogy for pre-service and job-embedded learning; (d) skills to research the use of assistive technology by students with significant disabilities on state academic content in general education contexts, and to research pre-service and job-embedded teacher learning; and (e) skills to communicate effectively with a variety of consumers.
Project ReQuEST
Research on Quality in Educating Special Education Teachers
Project ReQuEST will prepare four doctoral-level leaders in special education committed to contributing to the teacher quality research base. Through coursework and other opportunities, ReQuEST scholars will acquire: (a) knowledge of issues related to teacher quality, (b) effective pedagogy for teaching special education teachers about evidenced-based practices, (c)background in pedagogical content knowledge, (d) research skills for conducting teacher quality research, (e) knowledge of issues related to students with disabilities who have diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and (f) and knowledge of effective dissemination.
Dr. Jean Crockett, Chair
Special Education, School Psychology & Early Childhood Studies
P.O. Box 117050 / 1403 Norman Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611-7050
(352) 273-4275
Fax (352) 392-2655
