OSERS: OSEP: Center on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics for Young Children with Disabilities

Overview

The purpose of the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program (ETechM2 Program) is to improve results for students with disabilities by: (1) promoting the development, demonstration, and use of technology; (2) supporting educational media activities designed to be of educational value in the classroom for students with disabilities; (3) providing support for captioning and video description that is appropriate for use in the classroom; and (4) providing accessible educational materials to students with disabilities in a timely manner. This competition includes one absolute priority. 

Absolute Priority: Center on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics for Young Children with Disabilities.

The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative agreement to establish and operate a national Center on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for Young Children with Disabilities to achieve, at a minimum, the following expected outcomes: 

(a) Expanded body of knowledge on implementing evidence-based 1 practices (EBPs) for early STEM learning that integrates STEM learning trajectories 2 and inclusive and culturally and linguistically informed evidence-based STEM instructional methods and practices, including through the use of technology and art, within learning opportunities to support all young children with disabilities and their families, including those who are multilingual and racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse in developing STEM concepts. 

(b) Increased capacity of faculty in institutions of higher education (IHEs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs),3 to integrate STEM learning trajectories and inclusive and culturally and linguistically informed evidence-based STEM instructional methods and practices, including through the use of technology and art, within programs of study to prepare an early childhood workforce with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to support STEM learning for all young children with disabilities and their families, including those who are multilingual and racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse. 

(c) Increased capacity of early childhood PD providers in State and local early childhood systems to integrate STEM learning trajectories and inclusive and culturally and linguistically informed evidence-based STEM instructional methods and practices, including through the use of technology and art, into their PD to build competence in the early childhood workforce to support STEM learning for all young children with disabilities and their families, including those who are multilingual and racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse. 

(d) Increased capacity of early childhood personnel to integrate STEM learning trajectories and inclusive and culturally and linguistically informed STEM instructional methods and practices, including through the use of technology and art, into supports and services provided to all young children with disabilities and their families, including those who are multilingual and racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse. (e) Increased capacity of families, including those who are multilingual and racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse, to integrate developmentally appropriate STEM learning opportunities into everyday routines, including through the use of technology and art.

• Type of Award: Cooperative agreements
• Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $1,450,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.
• Estimated Number of Awards: 1
• Project Period: Up to 60 months

Pre-Application Webinar Information: No later than February 27, 2023, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will post pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance (TA) to interested applicants. The webinars may be found here.