The NAPSEC
Foundation was established in 1974 to fund special projects that support
and educate the public about the critical issues facing individuals with
disabilities and their families. The NAPSEC
Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that:
Provides funding
for educational, research and charitable activities, and special projects
for NAPSEC and/or other related and similar associations and
organizations.
Provides
educational, scientific & research materials to NAPSEC members, parents
of children with disabilities, and the general public regarding matters
relating to special education.
NAPSEC Foundation
Projects
Free
Referral Service
The NAPSEC Free Referral
Service assists parents and professionals seeking an
appropriate private specialized placement for their child or client.
NAPSEC provides an information packet with each referral on parents
rights, tips on selecting a private program, advocacy resources, and much
more.
Diversity
Scholarship Program
A scholarship fund for
developing diverse professionals within the field of special education. This
program provides matching funds for members of minority groups who are
enrolled in a degree program that expands their knowledge and expertise in
the special education field. The purpose of the scholarship fund is to promote diversity
and expand the specialized expertise
in NAPSEC member programs.
Outcomes
From 2000-2005 NAPSEC
members participated in the Outcomes Research
Study. The exit plans of students attending approved,
out-of-district special education programs in the private sector are
studied, via a survey instrument. Given renewed concerns about
accountability in special education and the paucity of data (Chambers,
Parrish, & Harr, 2002; U.S. Department of Education, 2002), the NAPSEC
Outcomes Survey focuses on a segment of students in out-of-district
placements and those attending separate approved special education
programs in the private sector.
The purpose of the investigation is
to identify the educational and post-school plans made by students as they
leave these programs. In particular, to determine (a) how many
students plan to enter educational programs within their local
districts after leaving the separate private school, (b) the specific
settings to which students plan to return, and (c) how many
students plan to engage in mainstream and other productive adult roles
after leaving school.
