Auburn College of Education faculty launch Project TURTLES to combat special education teacher shortages

Auburn University’s College of Education is launching Project TURTLES to address national- and state-identified shortages in special education personnel.

Project TURTLES, or Training special edUcatoRs To Lead with Evidence and Support, is a $3.7 million federally funded doctoral training grant led by Professor of Special Education Suzanne Woods-Groves and Interim Head of the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling Margaret Flores, who serve as the project directors at Auburn.

Project TURTLES will prepare scholars for leadership positions in special education through a collaboration between Auburn, the University of Oklahoma and George Mason University. Each university will recruit eight scholars and prepare them for special education leadership positions, such as school and district leaders.

“The preparation program will emphasize research- and evidence-based instructional and leadership practice,” Woods-Groves said. “The targeted practices have empirical support for improving outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.”

Practices will include methods designed to improve instruction, interventions and services as well as recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers. In exchange for two years of service for every year of funding, scholars will receive support to complete their doctoral programs within four years.

Woods-Groves said the overall aim of the project is to successfully support the TURTLES scholars in completing their doctoral degrees while preparing them to be impactful leaders in their schools. In turn, leaders with a strong background in evidence-based practices will support special education practices within schools.

“The goal of Project TURTLES echoes the College of Education’s motto, ‘Opening doors and improving lives, ' by supporting the preparation of scholars who will become leaders within their school districts and support the delivery of special education services to students with disabilities and their families,” Woods-Groves said.

Those interested in learning more about Project TURTLES may contact Woods-Groves.

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under grant #H325D250099 (TURTLES). The award provides $3,749,580, which represents 100% of the total project cost. This project is currently in its first year, and annual funding is contingent upon federal approval.

Visit the College of Education website to learn more about its special education programs.