Research Center on Inclusive and Effective Educational Practices

In 2004, the RCIEP was one of several projects funded, initially, by the Portland State University Office of Research and Sponsored Projects to expand externally funded research in departments with strong external funding records and potential for research expansion.

Since then, working with faculty in the Department of Special Education and Counselor Education in the Graduate School of Education at PSU, the RCIEP has:

• Supported Special Education faculty by helping develop research that impacts the quality and effectiveness of intervention and instruction for children and youth with disabilities and their families
• Served as a catalyst to increase the involvement of Special Education faculty in expansion of externally funded research
• Developed research strands that build on the strengths of the Special Education faculty (e.g., literacy, positive behavioral supports, autism, severe disabilities, visual impairments, early intervention/early childhood special education, inclusion, self-determination), to develop and disseminate research-based instructional and intervention strategies through collaboration with local, state, national, and international partners
• Increased interdisciplinary, inter-agency, and inter-institutional partnerships in research and development projects for Special Education faculty
• Increased total dollars for externally funded projects for the Special Education Program faculty
• Increased total dollars of Indirect Cost (IDC) funds from externally funded projects developed by Special Education faculty
• Worked to achieve a level of IDC that will provide:
  • Payback of investment to the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects
  • Funding for maintaining the RCIEP

Strengths of the PSU Department of Special Education

The PSU Special Education faculty have nationally recognized expertise regarding inclusive education and effective instructional practices for children and youth with a variety of learning challenges, including autism, severe disabilities, learning disabilities, visual impairments, and emotional/behavioral needs.

PSU Special Education programs are also recognized nationally as innovative models of teacher education including dual, general, and special education licensure programs; collaborative preparation of special educators and professionals from other disciplines; and distance program to prepare educators of students with visual impairments.