Special Projects
Leadership in Literacy Interventions
The Leadership in Literacy Interventions program provides funding and support to doctoral students from Hillsborough and Pasco School districts who aspire to assume leadership roles focused on the implementation of intensive literacy interventions within the context of systems-change efforts. The program is fully-funded by a $1,235,013 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.
During the program, students will work towards a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Special Education, as well as a cognate in Educational Leadership that includes the requirements for Level 1 Educational Leadership Certification by the Florida Department of Education.
Students enrolled in the program receive a yearly stipend of $35,000 and mentorship from USF faculty while conducting literacy intervention research. Upon graduation, scholars will assume roles as state special education administrators, local special education directors, school-based special education directors or early intervention coordinators.
Program Benefits
- Yearly $35,000 stipend to assist with tuition and living expenses.
- Funding to attend academic research conferences within the student’s research interests
- Opportunities to conduct research on literacy interventions within the school setting
- Sequenced courses and participation in mentored research team activities
- Opportunities to participate in webinars and advanced trainings through OSEP National Centers
- Mentored supervision and/or college teaching opportunities within USF’s undergraduate Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program
- Mentorship, networking opportunities, and employment assistance upon graduation