The "Institutionalization of Project Smart" is designed to test, refine, and disseminate the activities and strategies developed over the past three years. The goals of the project are: (1) to promote positive and permanent changes in the educational environments of New Jersey school districts to ensure full participation and inclusion of children in the learning of science and mathematics, so that all students, especially children with disabilities, have the knowledge and skills necessary to meet challenging standards and prepare for inclusion into general education classrooms; (2) to establish a professional development model for educators; (3) to provide training to counselors and other educational professionals, and parents of youngsters with disabilities; (4) to make the professional development model and accompanying support materials available regionally and nationally; and (5) Establish an Educational Resource Center (ERC) for all stakeholders at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)'s Center for Pre-College Programs. To meet these goals, staff will evaluate, refine and disseminate model materials that will: . provide training and resources for centers of staff development that serve elementary/middle grade school teachers in New Jersey who will have students with disabilities in their classrooms; . provide training and resources for families of children with disabilities, so they can provide the proper support for them; . acquaint guidance counselors with resources and procedures for assuring full access and needed support in science and mathematics education to children and youth with disabilities; . create an atmosphere of collaboration among educational professionals, parents and others interested in building effective schools for all children. The project will establish partnerships with state and regional organizations and agencies to develop a network by which services and resources will continue to be provided to educators and serve as a regional mo del. Focus will be placed on classroom implementation of state content standards in science and mathematics for all children by addressing: classroom implementation of a standards-based curriculum in science and mathematics in inclusionary and special education settings; refinements of a training model that includes practicum experience; translation and implementation of the professional development model to provide training and support at the school district level; development and testing of guides and manuals to use in support of professional development and classroom implementation; implementation of demonstration sites for classroom implementation models; dissemination of the professional development model and resources, including guides and manuals regionally and at other sites across the country. Efforts will be made to develop educational resource centers at schools. The professional development model includes a practicum experience and intensive in-service training in the implementation of content standards and instructional planning that allows for accommodations and adaptations for students with special needs. It will be modified and translated to the school district environment. Selected participants in Project SMART will be trained as professional developers to expand on the impact of the project.
