American Samoa Partnerships

American Samoa Partnerships: CSPD
Project Overview

The American Samoa Personnel Preparation Project is designed to meet the personnel training requirements of the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) in American Samoa. The American Samoa Department of Education, Special Education Division, collaborates with the UH Center on Disability Studies to deliver undergraduate, graduate courses, in-service training, and technical assistance activities with special and regular education personnel in American Samoa.

Teacher preparation and development includes required university special education coursework for dual certification students enrolled in the American Samoa Cohort Teacher Training Program. These courses are available to both general and special education teacher candidates. A broad spectrum of in-service training is provided on special education requirements and provisions; classroom curriculum and instruction; strategies and specialized supports for teachers of children with physical, cognitive, communication, motor and sensory disorders and disabilities; and, best practices in inclusion settings. University courses, teacher training and in-services are provided through video conferencing, telecommunication, on-line and traditional classroom settings.

American Samoa Partnerships: Secondary Schools Learning Labs
Project Overview

The American Samoa Partnerships: SSLL develops and implements Learning Labs within high schools in American Samoa to provide remediation in basic skills and learning supports in high school coursework, to explore career awareness and transitional supports in post secondary activities, and to develop an environment which supports a village learning center to include students, families, professionals in shared learning and teaching activities. The Learning Labs offer a full range of technological supports and software for individualized and independent learning experiences. Additionally the Labs provide telecommunication opportunities reaching across the Pacific Islands to offer extended opportunities in cross cultural experiences, specialized services for at-risk students and advanced course work for students, families, and educators. The Learning Labs operate both in school and after-school programs designed to meet the individual needs of community learners in the villages of American Samoa.

Teacher preparation and development includes required university special education coursework for dual certification students enrolled in the American Samoa Cohort Teacher Training Program. These courses are available to both general and special education teacher candidates. A broad spectrum of in-service training is provided on special education requirements and provisions; classroom curriculum and instruction; strategies and specialized supports for teachers of children with physical, cognitive, communication, motor and sensory disorders and disabilities; and, best practices in inclusion settings. University courses, teacher training and in-services are provided through video conferencing, telecommunication, on-line and traditional classroom settings.

Products

• University teacher training program that offer a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education with a dual certification in Special Education
• Five village centers for group and/or individualized learning programs for American Samoan students, families, volunteers and educators.