[Mdpobc] teacher program suspended

[Kyle Richmond]

google:  Aaron Richmond v. Calvert County Public Schools 2002-2003 or contact me directly anytime.  Jill Richmond

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: SUSAN POLANSKY 
  To: MDPOBC at nfbnet.org ; MDPOBC 
  Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 3:29 PM
  Subject: [Mdpobc] teacher program suspended


  Greetings All,
  I am writing to ask that all write to the addressees below to voice your
  concern about the ramifications of having overworked, under-trained, or not
  available (because there are no teachers or one to a county for example)
  teachers for our children. If you have a story of low service hours, or
  unqualified paras doing the work, because the district claimed they could
  not get a teacher (or the teacher claimed they had no time) for example that
  would be great. Make it personal. Teachers: if you are struggling to serve
  too large a caseload, your personal stories would be great too.
  Thank you,

  Carrie Gilmer, President
  National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
  A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
  NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
  Home Phone: 763-784-8590
  carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
  www.nfb.org/nopbc

  -----Original Message-----



  From: Jim Bickford [mailto:bickford at pdx.edu]
  Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 3:39 PM
  To: TOVI: Administrative Question
  Subject: [tovi] Your Support is urgently needed - Portland State University
  program is suspended.
  Importance: High

  Friends, Colleagues, Students, Parents, and all Stakeholders:


  On March 30, 2009 the provost at Portland State University made a decision
  to suspend operations of the program to prepare teachers of students who are
  blind or visually impaired due to the current economic and budgetary
  shortfalls.  Many of you are aware that Portland State is the only teacher
  preparation program in the Pacific Northwest and just completed its 45th
  year preparing teachers for blind children. This decision came as quite a
  shock to all of us.  The provost has proposed reviewing the program in the
  next 6-9 months before making a final determination about continuance.
  However, for the 2009-2010 school year we will admit no new students.



  I would like to encourage each one of you to make your concerns known to the
  provost and our dean and explain the need for our program to continue.  If
  you have had specific personal relationships with our program, please do be
  personal - but the emphasis must be on the needs of the students who will
  now go unserved.  Also, if you have any specific suggestions for
  collaborative partnerships, we would love to hear them.



  I would also encourage you to share this e-mail with anyone that you feel
  may be affected by our potential permanent closure.



  Please address your concerns to:

  Dr. Roy Koch, Provost                    kochr at pdx.edu 

  Portland State University

  PO Box 751

  Portland, Oregon  97207



  and 



  Dr. Randy Hitz, Dean                      hitz at pdx.edu 

  Graduate School of Education

  Portland State University

  PO Box 751

  Portland, Oregon  97207



  With copies to our department chair



  Dr. Leslie Munson              munsonl at pdx.edu 



  Thank you for your concern.



  James O. "Blue" Bickford, Ed.D.

  Director:  Project BRAILLE 

  Associate Professor

  Program for Visually Impaired Learners



  Telephone:  503-725-5495

  FAX:          503-725-5599



  Visit our distance learning information center at:

  http://www.pdx.edu/sped/vil.html <http://www.pdx.edu/sped-coun/vil.html>




  Portland State University

  Department of Special Education

  PO Box 751

  Portland, Oregon  97207


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