Keywords

competency, early intervention, interdisciplinary, personnel preparation, training

 

Authors

  1. Malone, D. Michael PhD
  2. Straka, Elizabeth PhD

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe the Interdisciplinary Preservice Specialization Project (IPSP), an early intervention personnel preparation project funded by the US Department of Education, and the utility of the model to promoting student knowledge and skill. The Interdisciplinary Preservice Specialization Project was designed to prepare master's-level students to assume roles as early intervention practitioners (both direct service and program administration). The efficacy of the model was documented through change in level of student competency in 7 targeted areas with 66 competencies as well as through perceptions of students, university faculty members, and community agency personnel regarding the distinct contribution of the project to early intervention personnel preparation at the university and in the State.